What is true Joy?

A Devotion by Joe G.

July 28, 2024

What is true Joy?

Galatians 5:22-23

The dictionary definition of the word joy is:

“a feeling of great pleasure and happiness.

“tears of joy”

(Definition from Oxford Languages)

We think of many different things when we hear the word “Joy.”

Like the photo above, there are those of us who “Jump for Joy.” When a woman delivers a child, hopefully she and her husband are, jumping for joy.

When college students find out that they passed all of their classes and will be receiving their bachelor’s degree, they are full of Joy.

And, most recently, for those of you who have seen the “Inside Out” movies, you know the lead character’s name is “Joy”.

You’ll notice that all of the examples that I’ve given are using Joy, as emotion. In the Bible, the Apostle Paul describes “Joy” quite differently.

**********************The Point**********************

 ^“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.”

Galatians 5:22-23

In the passage above, each time Paul names a fruit of the Spirit, he’s referring to leading a life led by the Holy Spirit.

So, when Paul says that Joy is one of the Fruit(s) of the Spirit, he’s not talking about the emotion of joy we experience. The emotional joys we experience throughout our lives are temporary.

When we are joyful as a follower of Christ it’s much more than temporary happiness. As Christ’s followers, our joy is active. We have joy because we rejoice that because of our belief in Jesus, we have redemption and the promise of eternal life.

Vanettha Risner references a quote from the Charles Spurgeon Bible that describes the joy I’m speaking of.

“How could Paul experience joy amid his tribulations? Well, Charles Spurgeon said it best, “believers are not dependent upon circumstances. Their joy comes not from what they have, but from what they are, not from where they are, but from whose they are, not from what they enjoy, but from that which was suffered for them by their Lord.”

(vaneetha.com/journal/the-gift-of-joy-in-the-rockiest-places)

It’s okay to experience joy in the things we do and experience throughout our lives. But remember, that type of joy is fleeting. The Joy we find in our faith and belief in Jesus Christ is everlasting.

Isn’t that worth sharing?