The Fruit of the Holy Spirit-Joy

The Fruit of the Holy Spirit. Galatians 5:22,23.

Joy:

"Joy is the love's music-being cheerful in all circumstances."
Read:Galatians5:22; John15:11,16:24; 2Cor.8:2; Lk.6:22,23,10:17,20; Ps.16:11; Is.51:11; 1Jn.1:4; 1Pet.1:8,4:12-14; Phil.4:4; Rom.14:17.

Definition:- It is the gladness, cheerfulness of the heart. It is the element that makes man happy and to rejoice always.
* It is the joy that comes from not getting but from giving.
* The joy of Jesus is the source of joy in our hearts.(Jn.15:11)
* The permanent joy is in having Jesus with us always (Jn.16:20-22).

The Significance:-Why is this joy needed and how is it different from the joy of the world? Because, it is the joy in the midst of contrasting conditions. We need joy because of the following:
1. weeping/mourning: Is.61:3; Jer.31:13; Ezra3:12,13;Ps.126:5-6.
2. Tears: Ps.126:5,6.
3. Sorrow and pain:Is.35:10;Jn.16:20;2Cor.6:10.
4. Loss:Heb.10:34;Phil.3:8;Ac.20:24
5. Adversity:Eccl.7:14;Job 1:20-22.
6. Discipline:Ps.51:8;Heb.12:11.
7. Persecution and Tribulation:Lk.6:22-23;2Cor.7:4.
* Paul's testimony of his joy in the midst of suffering: 2Cor.6:10,7:4,11:23-30,12:9-10.
* The final joy in heaven: Rev.7:17, 21:4.

The joy of the world is temporary-fleeting leads to sorrow. It is based on materialism, selfishness and covetousness.
-It is momentary:Jb 20:5.
- ends in heaviness:Prov.14:13.
- gives no satisfaction:Eccl.2:10.
- is vanity:Eccl.7:6.
- can be taken away:Is.16:10.
- will turn into mourning:Ja.4:9.

Where and how to find this joy:
1. In the Lord Jesus Christ: Ps.43:4;Jn.16:20-24; Phil.4:4.
2. In the word of God:Jer.15:16;1Jn.1:4.
3. In our relationship with God: Lk.10:20.
4. In God's people: Phil.4:1;1Thess.2:20;3Jn.4.
5. In the house of prayer:Is.56:7;Ps.16:11;Jn.16:24.
6. In the fellowship of God's people:Ac.2:46;Phil.1:25-26.
7. In giving to the Lord's work:2Cor.8:2.
8. In suffering for Christ(in His service):Lk.10:17;2Cor.7:4-7; Phil.2:17.
9. In returning to the Lord(in repentance):Is.51:11.

The ways to express the joy:
1. Through songs: Gen.31:27;Jam.5:13;Job 29:13;eph.5:19;Col.3:16.
2. By Musical instruments:Is.18:6.
3. By various sounds:1Chron.15:16.
4. By praising:2Chron.29:30.
5. By shouting: Ezra 3:12,13;Ps.32:11.
6. From the heart:1Kin.21:7.

Results of being joyful:
1. Enables us to obey God's command to rejoice:Phil.4:4;1Thess.5:16.
2. Gives Health and strength:Neh.8:10 (as sorrow brings disease-Ps.32:3-4)
3. Life is brightened as morning:Ps.30:5.(improvement in the beauty and facial features, etc).
4. Helps to choose the best: Matt.13:44.(not affected by the loss/sacrifice)
5. Is contagious-makes others joyful too:2Cor.2:3.
6. It is a testimony to the hope you have inChrist:Rom.12:12; 1Thess.4:13.
7. It helps you become one with the feelings of others-by sharing,reaching out,showing concern,belongingness etc.: Rm.12:15.

" These things I have spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full."-(Lord Jesus) John 15:11.

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