For the lesson on today’s blog, I will be sharing a lesson I recently led over joy – a fruit of the Spirit. 

This section of Scripture can be found in Galatians 5:22-26, and I recommend reading it before going further. The word joy in this section of Scripture, and in the rest of the New Testament, is originally Greek. It is translated chara, meaning to have joy, delight, or pleasure. Corresponding words also say contentment. 

I fully believe that the Christian life is unmatched. In fact, I know that the Christian life is unmatched. I have lived on both sides of the spectrum. However, do I believe that the life of a worldly person can be a life with happiness. Regular definitions define happiness and joy in the same way, so how does the Bible say the two lives are different? Why does God make joy an esteemed quality that we should walk in? Now, you may be thinking, “What is she saying right now?”, but bear with me as we define these terms throughout the lesson, looking into the perfect law of liberty (James 1:25). 

1. What does the Bible say that true joy is? 

If you have your Bible, I encourage you to turn to the different Scriptures as they are mentioned. First, turn to Deuteronomy 28:47-48. As you are turning there, think of one of the ways that God motivates us to do what’s right: showing us what someone did wrong. Here, we see that Israel did not obey God with joy and gladness. Therefore they were overtaken by another nation. 

Joy is an attitude we must have towards obedience. 1 John 5:3, serving God will never be a grievous or heavy thing. Jesus says that His burden is light (Matthew 11:30), therefore serve Him with joy. 

Joy is an attitude we must have when thinking about the protection we have as a Christian. (Psalm 5:11)

Joy is an attitude we must have in the presence of the Lord. (Psalm 16:11)

Joy is an attitude we must have concerning salvation. (Psalm 51:12, Isaiah 12:3. The story of the eunuch in Acts 8 also comes to mind – how he was rejoicing as he went on his way– vs. 39). 

Joy is an attitude we must have when thinking about the word of God. (Jeremiah 15:16, 1 Thessalonians 1:3, Matthew 13:20 – a good heart receives the word with joy.) I think this is a really important thing to observe because Scripture is not full of stories that make you feel good. Scripture is filled with things that chastise you, correct you, convict you, and change you. Receive it with joy!

Joy is an attitude we must have throughout trials that we endure. (Romans 5:1-5, James 1:2f)

These points are not the only things we must be joyous towards specifically, but I do believe that this list encapsulates almost all of the ideas. 

1. Worldly joy vs. Biblical joy

I know many worldly people, as I know many of you do too, who are “good” people. These people are well-off and probably even content in their life. You could even go as far as to say that they are joyous people – BUT does this mean that they have Biblical joy? Do they live by God’s word? Do they rejoice in hearing His word? If the answer is no, they are not walking by the fruit of the Spirit. Proverbs 15:21 says that folly is joy to those who lack discernment. They may seem to have joy, however if it is due to a lack of discernment, then it is folly. Another example of this is seen in Matthew 19:16-22. The rich young ruler had so much joy in his possessions that it hindered him from serving the Lord fully (Numbers 13:24). Tying this point together, contentment in politics, social status, your treasures, or your own ignorance, living in the world hinders you from having Biblical joy. 

1. How to walk in a Spirit of Joy

-Understand the frailty of man & understand your reliance on God. Psalm 46:1– understand that God is our refuge, 2 Timothy 3:16-17– understand that His word gives us all we need in this life (2 Peter 1:3), Romans 5:8– understand that God’s love is demonstrated through our Savior. 

-Live obediently & do it with joy. Colossians 3:17, Philippians 4:4, Philippians 2:16, 1 Corinthians 15:58

-Live in a state of joy, presenting yourself holy (Romans 12:1-2). 

Romans 8:5 says to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life. As we continue to live in a world that does not prioritize joyfulness, let us be the people who do. 

– Joey Newton