Fruits of the Spirit: Joy

Welcome back to the Fruits of the Spirit weekly study. For those who are new to the study be sure to visit Fruits of the Spirit and The Fruits of the Spirit: Love to introduce yourself to our study and to learn about the foundational Fruit of the Spirit – agape LOVE.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, JOY, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against these, there is no law.

This week we are examing the second Fruit of the Spirit – Joy. The Greek word used in Galatians 5 for joy is “chara.” It is used 59 times in the Scriptures and its root comes from the word “chairo” which is a verb meaning “to be cheerful” or “to rejoice.” Chara is the noun version of the word and means “cheerful,” “delight,” or “gladness.” Chara is not an emotional state of happiness but carries a much deeper meaning. It is a calm contentment deeply rooted in God and comes from God. Because its foundations and origins are from Jehovah, it is a stable state. This is why James can say that we should “count it all joy” when we meet trials (James 1) or why Paul can say in both Thessalonians and Philippians to “rejoice always” or the writer of Hebrews say that Jesus went to the cross because of “joy set before Him (Hebrews 12).”

From the get-go then, we should realize the fruit of joy isn’t the emotion of happiness. It is something else. It also isn’t just a noun – it is a verb. So – what is the Fruit of the Spirit – Joy? It is a gladness in God. A deep steady appreciation for all He has done for you. Because you have this deep gladness and appreciation for God, you can be cheerful and rejoice regardless of what earthly circumstances you encounter. Nothing that happens on this earth can shake your joy in God because He created you, He redeemed you, He loves you, and He will save you. You know it as sure as the sun rises in the east and sets in the west.

When I was thinking about an Old Testament example of something who lived this Fruit of the Spirit my mind immediately went to David. One needs only read through the Psalms to experience and see how true joy in God manifests itself.

David’s life wasn’t easy even though he was God’s anointed one:

• He was hunted by King Saul relentlessly out of spite and jealousy.
• He was on the run and lived as a nomad – an exile – for years while Saul hunted him.
• His best friend – Jonathan – eventually died in battle with his father Saul.
• After his sin against God, Bathsheba, and Uriah – the child from that sin died as part of David’s punishment.
• The sword and strife never left David’s house because of his sin.
• One of his sons sexually assaulted one of his daughters.
• His most beloved son committed treason and led an insurrection against him.
• Many of his closest friends and advisors sided with his son in the insurrection.
• He was not able to build God’s temple like he had always dreamed he would.

Yet, throughout his life, David’s joy in Jehovah never wavered. Even in his most imploring frustrated or sad Psalms, he always rejoiced in God. Here are just a few examples of David’s joy in God:

• Blessed are all those who put their trust in Him. Psalm 2
• Salvation belongs to the Lord. Psalm 3.
• For You alone, O LORD, make me dwell in safety. Psalm 4.
• Let those also who love Your name be JOYFUL in You. Psalm 5.
• I will praise the LORD according to HIS righteousness. Psalm 7.
• O LORD, our GOD, How excellent is YOUR name in all the earth. Psalm 8.
• And those who know YOUR name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD have not forsaken those who seek You. Psalm 9.
• But I have trusted in Your mercy; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13.
• In Your presence is fullness of joy. Psalm 16
• The king shall have joy in YOUR strength, O LORD. Psalm 21.
• Therefore, I will offer sacrifices of joy in His tabernacle. I will sing, yes I will sing praises to the LORD. Psalm 27.
• Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, you righteous, And shout for joy, all you upright in heart! Psalm 32.

David found joy in God regardless of his situation. We see this same example from the Apostle Paul who wrote the joy epistle – Philippians – while behind bars awaiting execution.

When we have true joy like King David or Paul, we can follow God’s commands to be anxious for nothing because we know that no matter what God is the creator of the universe and He loves us and died to save us. Those things are immutable. When we have this type of joy, we can’t keep it to ourselves. We naturally want to share it. How could we not want others to experience it? This is why joy is a fruit of the Spirit. You not only partake of God’s joy but your need to grow your joy so others can experience it too.

We can only have this joy in God if we have the first fruit of the Spirit – love. We cannot take joy in all that God has done for us unless we love God. We can’t show others true agape love to others unless we have joy in God because putting others’ needs and wants above our own is hard and the only way we can do that is if we find joy in God and try to be like God. When we have true love our joy for and in God shines bright which is how we show others God’s nature.

God is love and all good things come from God. As King David wrote, “In Your presence is fullness of joy. “

So, when we live our lives with the Fruits of love and joy – we become a mirror. When people see us, they should really get a glimpse of Jesus. Our lives serve as the reflection – the bridge – to bring others to the LORD.

Last applications:

You can have joy right now even though you haven’t seen God or Jesus yet.

“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” – I Peter 1: 8 – 9

You can have joy in hard times.

Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation. – Habakkuk 3: 17 – 18

Joy gives you strength.

“And do not be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.” – Nehemiah 8:10

Joy comes from keeping God’s commandments.

If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. – John 15: 10 -11

Questions to consider:

• Do you have true joy?
• How can you show your joy in God to others?
• How can you deepen your joy in God?