FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT, JOY PART 2 OF 9

Fruit of the Spirit- Joy

 What is Joy?

A deeper look. Part 2 of 9

BY MATTHEW CORTINAS

In English, joy has many synonyms, such as happiness, pleasure, gladness and delight. But the meaning the world places on these words does not necessarily reflect what the Bible means. The Greek translation ‘simcha’ gives a more direct meaning of “happiness in the fullest sense.” or Abiding Joy!

Selfish happiness vs. Godly joy Often today people and sometimes Christians even, think that pursuing the things of this world, equals searching to find what will make them happy. But in doing that (as long as no one gets hurt), can’t be wrong? Why do you think this IS WRONG? For example, if we think it makes us happy to put money (or the pursuit of it) above all else, or fudge a little on our taxes to get a bigger return, or criticize or bully others to make ourselves feel better, These aren't the best of examples and I’m sure you all can possibly think of many others, but does that mean we should do those things in the pursuit of happiness or Joy?

No!

 The Bible says: in Proverbs 21:15… ¹⁵ It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.

 The joy talked about as a fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22 is the positive and cheerful outlook of a person who has been called by God and understands how beneficial it is to follow God’s example.

Breaking God’s law never produces real, lasting joy. Selfishly seeking our own pleasure is not the way to achieve real joy either. Real joy is a gift from God, and it is something He wants us to give to others unselfishly. We can have joy from God even when facing things that would naturally make us unhappy, such as adversities.   James 1:2-4 says, Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

But thankfully the Bible promises us that in the long run, joy, and even happiness and pleasure will all align perfectly in His presence ...  Joy is the realization that God loves us and wants to give good things to His children—those who have repented, been baptized and have received His Holy Spirit. 

Psalm 67:4

“Oh, let the nations be glad and sing for joy! For You shall judge the people righteously, and govern the nations on earth”. *

What is Godly joy? Joy is the response of Christians to the fact that we have been given a precious truth, a gift and understanding of a way of life that brings fulfillment in God—now and forever.

Why do you think God want us to demonstrate joy? As we’ve seen, joy that is gained through selfish desires and activities only brings a superficial high or temporary enjoyment. Yet there is another joy that comes through the Holy Spirit and following God’s way of life that brings real contentment and true happiness.

God wants us to have Joy in order to prove to the world that He is the One who brings happiness! 

Also, when we demonstrate joy, we are actively showing where our priorities are. Notice the parable of the treasure in a field: 

Matthew 13:44 “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field” * think about this... The joy over the coming Kingdom and what God has revealed makes everything else in life seem less important. Grouchy, ungrateful, negative and angry Christians don’t exactly demonstrate the truth about the Kingdom of God—something so wonderful that nothing else should take priority over it. It is something to rejoice about every day, all day: at work, at home, while driving, while playing—everywhere. But why demonstrate joy? If we truly believe what God has told us in His Word, then we have plenty to rejoice about. There will be tough times in this life (deaths of loved ones or life changes, etc.), but even in those times of sorrow and weeping, the underlying joy of God’s plan for us must reign in our hearts and actions. Easier said than done, right?

An example; The apostle John gives us an example of joy that should be present in our life always. In his letter to Gaius, an elder he greatly admired, he said in the following verse: “

3 John 1 :3-4 For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.

 John was exceedingly cheerful and happy that people he had ministered to were continuing to walk in the truth. He was also joyful because he knew as long as they walked in the truth, they would also have happiness and joy—for eternity.

John’s example explains where joy comes from and why it’s important. Joy comes from staying true to God’s teachings, and it’s important because it gives others joy and shows a grateful response to what we’ve been given.

An example to avoid Christ mentions joy in His parable of the sower and the seed: 

Matthew 13: 20-21 As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away. * This is only temporary joy, not real, lasting joy. The person in the stony places may have had sincere joy at the beginning, but he soon focused on trials and let that joy fade away. Our joy, excitement and happiness in God must always be growing and expanding by staying close to Him and allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives.

Nehemiah 8:10 Then he said to them, "Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." * Faith is the victory that overcomes the world, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Adverse circumstances, instead of hindering our faith, can actually enhance our joy. Paul and Silas knew adversity as they sat with their feet in the stocks in a Philippian jail cell. Their legal rights had been violated. They had been arrested without cause and beaten without a trial. At midnight, since they couldn’t sleep, they sang—loudly—the praises of the Lord they were serving!

Acts 16:25-26 About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken. And immediately all the doors were opened, and everyone's bonds were unfastened. * And as you can see Paul and Silas reveling in the Joy of the Lord brought a miracle!

The joy of the Lord may defy understanding to ones who does not possess it. But, for the believer in Christ, the joy of the Lord comes as naturally as grapes on a vine. As we abide in

Christ, the True Vine, we the branches are full of His strength and vitality, and the fruit we produce, including joy, is ALL His (God’s) doing!!

END

Heavenly Father, what a comfort to read and study your word, giving us examples of those, who despite the difficulties and dangers that they were called upon to face, were able to rejoice in the Lord and trust in Your never-failing faithfulness. We pray that like them we too may receive Your abiding joy and discover like them… that the joy of the Lord is our strength and that the peace that comes from You is an abiding peace that enables us to overcome all difficulties of life. We ask this in Jesus’ name! AMEN!