Joy in the Holy Spirit

Jesus said to His disciples, "These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full" (). That sounds almost too good to be true! How can we experience this fullness of joy?

The world has a woeful shortage of joy and a surplus of fear, worry, discouragement and depression. Even the “pursuit of happiness” and obsessive pleasure-seeking do not bring deep and lasting joy.

Let’s first understand the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion, and God never intended for people to be in that emotional state all the time. There is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” ().

Biblical joy—the true joy—comes from filling the spiritual void with good relationships, primarily an intimate relationship with the One who is pure joy. Jesus put it this way: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit” (). That fruit includes much joy!

Let’s first understand the difference between joy and happiness. Happiness is an emotion, and God never intended for people to be in that emotional state all the time. There is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” ().

The Bible speaks much more often of joy than of being happy. “Hap” means chance and is the root of several words— happen, happening, haphazard(dependent on mere chance), hapless, happenstance (a chance circumstance) and happy.

Happiness is a glad feeling that depends on something good happening. God wants you to experience happy times (as long as God approves of what is happening). But His greater desire is that you have unconditional joy. Jesus said His joy would “remain in you” and “your joy no one will take from you”(; , emphasis added throughout).

Think of joy as a strong foundation that supports a variety of healthy emotions, including happiness. The long-range evidence of joy is general gratitude, contentment, optimism, a sense of freedom and other positive attitudes.

A common mistake is to think that getting something will make you happy. We tell ourselves, “If only …” But joy and happiness come much more from giving and serving than from getting.

A common mistake is to think that getting something will make you happy. We tell ourselves, “If only …” But joy and happiness come much more from giving and serving than from getting.

The apostle Paul reminded his listeners that Jesus Christ had taught this very thing: “There is more happiness in giving than in receiving” (, Today’s English Version).

To grow in joy, we must resist not only self-pity but also being self-centered and self-absorbed. For joy to flourish, we must focus on loving others and especially on loving God.

Try to follow this biblical formula: Add to your life gratitude, humility, forgiveness, faith, hope, patience and love. Take away resentment, anger, fear, worry, materialism, greed, jealousy, complaining and pride. The result? Joy!

God is joyful—far more than any human being ever was! It’s tragic that many people think of God as somber and stern rather than cheerful and smiling with a great sense of humor. He is enjoying His creation, and especially the delightful anticipation of many new “sons of God” (; ).

Paul spoke of the “joy of the Holy Spirit” (). It is through His Spirit that God shares and communicates His joy.

Paul spoke of the “joy of the Holy Spirit” (). It is through His Spirit that God shares and communicates His joy.

And when Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit,” joy is second, preceded only by love (). If we are filled with godly love, won’t that produce joy? Of course it will.

Joy is not optional. The Bible repeatedly commands us to rejoice! The most emphatic exhortation is in , where Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Joy is a major topic in the Bible. In the King James Version, “joy” appears 158 times and “rejoice” 198 times (not counting other variations such as joyful, joyfully, joyous, jubilant, happy and glad ).

Joy is not optional. The Bible repeatedly commands us to rejoice! The most emphatic exhortation is in , where Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

Joy is not optional. The Bible repeatedly commands us to rejoice! The most emphatic exhortation is in , where Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

tells us that “the joy of the Lord is [our] strength.” And says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” But what exactly is the joy of the Lord? And how do we count everything joy?

The Bible describes two kinds of sorrow. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” ().

Those who have joy frequently experience godly sorrow at the same time. It can be the sorrow of repentance toward God. Those who feel the worst about their sins feel the greatest joy about their forgiveness and God’s amazing grace.

Another example is mourning over the suffering of others while having the joy of knowing that God will eventually solve all problems ().

Worldly sorrow is generally self-pity or a victim mentality. While one indulges in worldly sorrow, it’s virtually impossible to have either godly sorrow or joy.

Grieving is a healthy response when a loved one dies. However, if we believe the truth of the resurrection, we also have comfort and joy because we know our loss is only temporary. The grief is much more painful for those “who have no hope” in a resurrection ().

Grieving is a healthy response when a loved one dies. However, if we believe the truth of the resurrection, we also have comfort and joy because we know our loss is only temporary. The grief is much more painful for those “who have no hope” in a resurrection ().

God’s joy continues to flow through His people even during their suffering because of their rock-solid hope. They know that all suffering is limited to this short life, and the time will soon come when “there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying” (). They “rejoice in hope of the glory of God” ().

We also have good reason to rejoice because of our trials when we understand how God is using those trials to help us build godly character. “And we know that all things [even severe trials] work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” ().

James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”—perseverance in remaining faithful to God (, NIV).

James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”—perseverance in remaining faithful to God (, NIV).

The number one key to joy: God’s Spirit

Supreme joy is God’s nature and character! We see proof everywhere in God’s creation—birds singing, animals leaping, flowers blooming, brooks babbling and the sun shining! Many people would be less depressed if they would spend more time outside. God “gives us richly all things to enjoy” ().

Since God is exceedingly joyful, His servants should also be joyful! Luke’s description of true disciples: “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” ().

How can we be filled with joy and the Holy Spirit? “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ ” ().

What then? Our unique joy begins because Christ lives in us (). He tells us to “rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (). We then have an intimate relationship with the One calls “God my exceeding joy.” In His presence “is fullness of joy” ().

God’s Spirit is a tree of life, producing life-giving fruit (). That fruit includes great joy.

Jesus prayed for His followers “that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves” ().

He also teaches us to pray for joy and for all our needs. As He tells us in , “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full!”

tells us that “the joy of the Lord is [our] strength.” And says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds.” But what exactly is the joy of the Lord? And how do we count everything joy?

The Difference Between Happiness and Joy

First, let’s look at the difference between happiness and joy. According to Webster’s Dictionary, happiness is “the agreeable sensations which spring from the enjoyment of good.” Joy, on the other hand, is “the passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good.”

Notice the word “expectation”. Joy does not necessarily come from good in the moment. Joy can come from the expectation of good.

Jesus is an example of someone who found joy in the good to come. When Jesus was crucified, there was no joy in that particular circumstance, but tells us that He still found joy. “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”

says, “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” Those two words “possessing everything” are the key to finding joy in all things.

Is it wrong to have sorrow?

The Bible describes two kinds of sorrow. “For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” ().

Those who have joy frequently experience godly sorrow at the same time. Those who feel the worst about their sins feel the greatest joy about their forgiveness and God’s amazing grace.

Another example is mourning over the suffering of others while having the joy of knowing that God will eventually solve all problems ().

Worldly sorrow is generally self-pity or a victim mentality. While one indulges in worldly sorrow, it’s virtually impossible to have either godly sorrow or joy.

Grieving is a healthy response when a loved one dies. However, if we believe the truth of the resurrection, we also have comfort and joy because we know our loss is only temporary. The grief is much more painful for those “who have no hope” in a resurrection.

Joy is largely composed of gratitude —gratitude for the wonderful things God has done for us and His “exceedingly great and precious promises” for our future (). Gratitude produces joy, and our gratitude should be for other people’s blessings as well as for our own.

Try to follow this biblical formula: Add to your life gratitude, humility, forgiveness, faith, hope, patience and love. Take away resentment, anger, fear, worry, materialism, greed, jealousy, complaining and pride. The result? Joy!

The Secret Of Being Joyful Always

The Secret Of Being Joyful Always

You see, as Christians, we can find joy in all things because we possess Christ, and no one can take Him from us. Not only that, but gives us the comfort that “for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” If we remember that, we will be able to find joy even in the most difficult times.

And on the days we just don’t feel joyful, we can find joy in all that Christ has done for us and look forward to better things in the Life to come. As Oswald Chambers said, “A saint doesn’t know the joy of the Lord in spite of tribulation, but because of it.”

James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”—perseverance in remaining faithful to God (, NIV).

James wrote, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance”—perseverance in remaining faithful to God (, NIV).

The joy of the Lord is simply the joy that we have in Christ. This joy comes from knowing Christ, abiding in Him, and being in His Word and in prayer.

The head researcher said, “The statistical correlation between reading your Bible four times a week or more, and living in victory, is stronger than the statistical correlation between smoking and lung cancer.”

The number one key to joy: God’s Spirit

Isn’t that amazing?! Being in God’s Word and seeking Him is so, so important! As says, “In your presence there is fullness of joy.”

The number one key to joy: God’s Spirit

Supreme joy is God’s nature and character! We see proof everywhere in God’s creation—birds singing, animals leaping, flowers blooming, brooks babbling and the sun shining! Many people would be less depressed if they would spend more time outside.

Since God is exceedingly joyful, His servants should also be joyful! Luke’s description of true disciples: “And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit” ().

Our joy begins because Christ lives in us (). He tells us to “rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (). We then have an intimate relationship with the One calls “God my exceeding joy.” In His presence “is fullness of joy” ().

What then? Our unique joy begins because Christ lives in us (). He tells us to “rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (). We then have an intimate relationship with the One calls “God my exceeding joy.” In His presence “is fullness of joy” ().

God’s Spirit is a tree of life, producing life-giving fruit/ That fruit includes great joy.

He also teaches us to pray for joy and for all our needs. As He tells us in , “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full!”

God is joyful—far more than any human being ever was! It’s tragic that many people think of God as somber and stern rather than cheerful and smiling with a great sense of humor. He is enjoying His creation, and especially the delightful anticipation of many new “sons of God” (; ).

God is joyful—far more than any human being ever was! It’s tragic that many people think of God as somber and stern rather than cheerful and smiling with a great sense of humor. He is enjoying His creation, and especially the delightful anticipation of many new “sons of God” (; ).

He also teaches us to pray for joy and for all our needs. As He tells us in , “Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full!”

Paul spoke of the “joy of the Holy Spirit” (). It is through His Spirit that God shares and communicates His joy.

And when Paul lists the “fruit of the Spirit,” joy is second, preceded only by love (). If we are filled with godly love, won’t that produce joy?

Joy is not optional. The Bible repeatedly commands us to rejoice! The most emphatic exhortation is in , where Paul says, “Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!”

In Conclusion

I ask you this week to pray for joy each day, learn to enjoy our pursuit in becoming more Christ like. Don’t let situations effect your joy, sometimes we have to just laugh at out situations and move on. At the end of the day, we have the greatest gift in Christ Jesus and that cant be taken away from us.

A Word From Spurgeon

In closing, I will leave you with some words of Charles Spurgeon. He speaks of what Christ has done for him and expresses his joy in Christ.

“For God to pity me I can understand; for God to condescend to have mercy upon me I can comprehend; but for Him to love me…for the infinitely great to love a worm, is matchless, a miracle of miracles! Such thoughts must comfort the soul.”

Now, dear readers, let us “rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.” ()