The Fruit Of The Spirit: Joy

“²²But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, ²³Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

— Galatians 5:22-23 KJV

The second characteristic listed among the 9 in the fruit of the Spirit is Joy.

Biblical joy is very different from happiness.

Happiness often depends on our circumstances. We are happy when things go well and unhappy when they don't.

But joy is different.

Biblical joy comes from knowing Jesus Christ and trusting that God is in control, even when life is difficult.

One of the greatest examples of this is the Apostle Paul. He repeatedly wrote about rejoicing, even while suffering persecution and imprisonment. His joy was not rooted in comfortable circumstances—it was rooted in Christ.

The Bible says:

“The joy of the LORD is your strength.”

— Nehemiah 8:10b KJV

Think about that.

Not the joy of having more money.

Not the joy of better circumstances.

Not the joy of success.

The joy of the Lord is your strength.

As Christians, our greatest source of joy is not found in what we have, but in Whom we have.

When we remember that God loves us, that our sins have been forgiven through Jesus Christ, and that our names are written in Heaven, we have reasons to rejoice that no circumstance can ever take away.

I wonder if one of the reasons the joy of the Lord is our strength might be because when our deepest joy is found in God, the things of this world begin to lose some of their grip on our hearts? And that it might make us less susceptible to things like idolatry, the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things?

Talking about the fruit of the Spirit… maybe this Bible verse talks about some of the things that can hinder the fruit of the Spirit?

“¹⁶Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. ¹⁷But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. ¹⁸Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; ¹⁹but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful. ²⁰Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

— Mark 4:16-20 NIV

A lot of people these days say that “If you really want to see what is important to a man: watch what he spends his money and time on.” I think that statement lacks something very important that also reveals what is important to a man: what he daydreams about and almost constantly thinks about, what he treasures in his heart.

Tim Keller has a well-known definition of idolatry that many Christians find helpful:

“An idol is anything more important to you than God, anything that absorbs your heart and imagination more than God, anything you seek to give you what only God can give.”

— Tim Keller

“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

— Matthew 6:21 NIV

I am also reminded of what John Piper calls “Christian Hedonism.” Piper's famous statement is:

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”

Whether or not someone adopts Piper's label "Christian Hedonism," the underlying emphasis—that believers should delight in God—has strong biblical support.

The Psalms clearly call God's people to delight in the Lord:

“Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

— Psalm 37:4

Point To Ponder

"The joy of the LORD is your strength."

Question To Consider

Where am I looking for joy? In temporary things—or in the Lord?

Quick Prayer

Lord, thank You for the joy that is found in You alone. Help me not to base my joy on my circumstances, but on Your unchanging love, faithfulness, and promises.

Fill me with Your Holy Spirit, and help me to grow in the fruit of the Spirit, especially joy, let it continue to grow and ripen in my life. Help me to trust You even during difficult seasons, knowing that You are always with me and that the joy of the Lord is my strength.

In the mighty Name of Jesus Christ I pray, Amen.