The Joy of the Christian

The word “joy” is used 173 times in the Bible.

An American Dictionary of the English Language JOY

JOY, n. [Fr. joie; It. gioia; Arm. joa, contracted; G. jauchzen, to shout; D. juichen, to rejoice; Sp. gozo; Port. id. This word belongs to the Class Cg, and its radical sense is probably, to shout, or to leap, or to play or sport, and allied perhaps to joke and juggle.]

1. The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits.

Joy is a delight of the mind, from the consideration of the present or assured approaching possession of a good. Locke.

—Peace,

Bring heavenly balm to heal my country’s wounds,

Joy to my soul and transport to my lay. D. Humphrey

2. Gayety; mirth; festivity.

The roofs with joy resound. Dryden.

3. Happiness; felicity.

Her heavenly form beheld, all wished her joy. Dryden.

4. A glorious and triumphant state.

—Who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross. Heb. 12.

5. The cause of joy or happiness.

For ye are our glory and joy. 1 Thess. 2.

6. A term of fondness; the cause of joy.

JOY, v. i. To rejoice; to be glad; to exult

I will joy in the God of my salvation. Hab. 3.

JOY, v. t. To give joy to; to congratulate; to entertain kindly.

2. To gladden; to exhilarate.

My soul was joyed in vain.

Joy is a fruit of the Spirit, and will be shown in the life of the Christian when they are under the control of the Holy Ghost.

1. JOY IN BELIEVING 1 Peter 1:8

1 Peter 1:8 KJV 1900

8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:

2. JOY IN ABIDING John 15:11

John 15:11 KJV 1900

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

John 15 is about abiding in Jesus.

An American Dictionary of the English Language ABIDE

ABI´DE, v. i. pret. and part. abode. [Ar. اَبَدَ abada, to be, or exist, to continue; W. bod, to be; Sax. bidan, abidan; Sw. bida; D. beiden; Dan. bier; Russ. vitayu, to dwell, rest, continue, stand firm, or be stationary for any time indefinitely. Class B d. No 7.]

1. To rest, or dwell. Gen. 29:19.

2. To tarry or stay for a short time. Gen. 24:55.

3. To continue permanently or in the same state; to be firm and immovable. Ps. 119:90.

4. To remain, to continue. Acts, 27:31. Eccles. 8:15.

3. JOY IN ASKING John 16:24

John 16:24 KJV 1900

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

4. JOY OF LISTENING John 17:13

John 17:13 KJV 1900

13 And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves.

5. JOY OF OBEYING John 13:17

John 13:17 KJV 1900

17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.

Grace may have been given to Noah, but without obedience he would have never been saved.

6. JOY OF JUDGING Acts 5:41

Acts 5:41 KJV 1900

41 And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

When we go through an event and realize that God was judging/testing our character/response/grace/love/etc. then there can be joy knowing that God counted our faith worthy to be tested.

7. JOY OF FINISHING WELL Acts 20:24

Acts 20:24 KJV 1900

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

How is your joy?

What have you allowed to take your joy?

Notice that I did not ask Who has taken your joy…because a Who can not take it. Your joy will only go away if you give it away!!