Morning Y'all! I pray this post encourages you and gives God glory! Got suggested topics you want me to write about? Please comment below or email me at info@mocatoday.com.
It's Week 2 of the Fruit of the Spirit 5Ws series and this week we're reviewing the fruit joy. My prayer is that we learn how God biblically defines His fruit, how to express His fruit in our lives, and how to practically walk by the Spirit so we don't gratify the desires of our flesh (Galatians 5:16).
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. ~Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)
Fruit of the Spirit– Joy
Who
Who has joy?
The Holy Spirit is a gift from God (Acts 2:38, 10:45) to glorify Jesus Christ (John 16:14) and only indwells in those that have chosen to make Jesus Christ their personal Lord and Savior (John 14:26), believe He died on the cross for our sins, and believe He resurrected three days later.
Therefore, who can possess joy, one of the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit, as God defines it?
Answer: Only true believers and followers of Jesus Christ.
What
What is joy?
While happiness is a fleeting, temporary emotion based on external circumstances that happen to us, biblical joy is internal contentment and satisfaction that is not constrained by or based on external circumstances. Joy is an eternal choice we make, and the source of joy is the Holy Spirit. Technically, we can have joy and not necessarily be happy since happiness is based on circumstances. However, since joy isn't dependent on circumstances, joy transcends trials, sufferings, and other tough situations we face. As Christianity.com explains, this is because "we know that God will use these experiences to accomplish His work in and through our lives." Compellingtruth.org also explains,
In trials, joy is not found in the immediate situation but in the promise that God's Kingdom will be revealed through the situation... Even in hardship, our joy remains, because it depends on God and His promises.
Joy is:
Provided by the Holy Spirit and based on faith and trust in God (1 Peter 1:8-9).
Is rooted in who God is, as true joy is found only in Jesus (John 15:11, Romans 14:17).
Experienced in Him and in His presence (Psalm 16:11).
Is a source of strength in our lives (Nehemiah 8:10).
Remains amidst our victories and suffering (Psalm 30:5, 2 Corinthians 6:10, 1 Peter 4:13).
Those who sow in tears, shall reap in joy. Psalm 126:5 (NKJV)
Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. ~Romans 15:13 (NKJV)
When
When do we have joy?
Only through God can we have joy. True joy comes when we fully choose to give our lives over to Jesus, spend time with Him, and have a personal relationship with Him. It's in God's presence and when we invite Him and His Word to soften and reshape our hearts can we experience real joy.
You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. ~Psalm 16:11 (NKJV)
Practically speaking, we can experience joy when we invite the Holy Spirit to help us focus on:
God's power, His sovereignty, and His promises rather than our problems
Trusting and keeping our faith in Him
Giving rather than receiving
Healing rather hurting
Giving our burdens to Jesus
Where
Where do we have joy?
God desires we choose and have joy that comes only from the Holy Spirit in all areas of our lives.
For example, our salvation brings joy–
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. ~Psalm 51:12 (NKJV)
We can choose joy in our victories, trials, suffering, and hardships–
We have much sadness, but we are always rejoicing. We are poor, but we are making many people rich in faith. We have nothing, but really, we have everything. ~2 Corinthians 6:10 (ERV)
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. ~Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ~James 1:2-3 (ESV)
Within our relationships–
Though I have much to write to you, I would rather not use paper and ink. Instead I hope to come to you and talk face to face, so that our joy may be complete. ~2 John 1:12 (ESV)
When we seek God's will in our lives and ask for His guidance–
Until now you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full. ~John 16:24 (ESV)
In our repentance–
In the same way, I tell you, heaven is a happy place when one sinner decides to change. There is more joy for that one sinner than for 99 good people who don’t need to change. ~Luke 15:7 (ERV)
Why
Why should we have joy no matter the circumstance?
Because God says we should choose joy. It's God's will that we grow in Christ and then possess full, complete joy (without lacking) that only comes from the Holy Spirit.
Always be full of joy. Never stop praying. Whatever happens, always be thankful. This is how God wants you to live in Christ Jesus. ~1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (ERV)
We should also be joyful or have joy because:
God will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:6, Hebrews 13:5).
We know God has a plan for us and ALL things, good and bad, will always work together for our good (Romans 8:28).
We know God ultimately takes great delight in us and agape loves us in all circumstances (Book of Psalms, Zephaniah 3:17).
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Remember, it's all about progression, not perfection! God loves you! With Him, you got this! Until next post, may God give you His peace and blessings!
~Natasha
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