“The joy of the Lord is your strength.” ~ Nehemiah 8:10

Have you ever been around someone who has a perpetual smile on their face? You know the kind that looks like they bought it and pasted it on? I have. 

It's easy to think that in order to have joy, we must always have a big smile on our face. We must always joyful! Because as a Christian, we have no reason to not have joy! There is never any reason to be a depressed person! 

This is what we have been led to believe. If we admit that we sometimes battle with depression, then that must mean we are not producing the fruit of joy.

But I’m going to be real with you here. That’s ridiculous. Is that really what the Bible is talking about when it comes to joy? 

What Joy Means in the Context of the Fruit of the Spirit

In the biblical context, joy is much more than a fleeting emotion or a temporary feeling of happiness. It’s more than just plastering a smile on your face and declaring to the world that you have joy! Yay me!!

That, my friend, is the Christian trying to drum up their own joy. When a person does this, they come across as fake. They may not actually be fake, but it feels like that to other people. 

There is so much more to joy than that. Yes, happiness depends on external circumstances and joy is a steadfast assurance of God's love and presence, in spite of life's trials and tribulations.

But what does that actually mean?

How many times have you heard this in a sermon, but if you were honest, you would say that you walked away scratching your head in confusion?  

Does it mean we should never have happiness? Like, joy is the more noble goal and if we’ve attained that goal, we are much more spiritual? And that happiness is a carnal reaction to life? 

No, it does not. There’s nothing wrong with being happy. (Of course, the motive for that particular happiness needs to be examined.) 

The Greek word for joy, "chara," is closely related to "charis," which means grace. 

So when you get right down to it, joy is a grace-filled response to God's love and grace.

This sounds a lot of thankfulness, right? Even as I write this, I feel such relief! I don’t have to work and try to plaster that smile on my face, because I have to have joy!!

Being thankful brings joy. When the Holy Spirit reminds you to be thankful in everything, He is working in your heart to produce the fruit of joy. 

Isn’t that awesome?! 

Why Paul Wrote About Joy to the Galatians

I know we’ve talked before about why Paul wrote this letter to the Galatians, but it never hurts to go over the information again. 

Paul's letter to the Galatians addresses several critical issues within the early Christian community. The Galatians were being influenced by the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile converts must adhere to Jewish laws, including circumcision, to be truly saved. 

That’s the crux of the whole matter. We humans want to feel like we have earned something. We get fulfillment from working hard and being rewarded for that work. 

But this is not how the fruit of the Spirit works. Our lives are like a vine that the vinedresser works on. The more he works and the more we allow him to work, the more that fruit manifests. It’s all him. The only thing we “do” is give in. 

This is why Paul wrote to counter this teaching. He emphasized that not only is salvation by faith in Christ alone and not by works of the law, but this is also how the Christian lives their life. It is not in anything that we do on our own.  

In this context, Paul lists the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23 to illustrate the qualities that should characterize those who live by the Spirit as opposed to those who rely on the flesh and their own works.

Joy, as one of these fruit, serves as a testament to the freedom and fullness found in Christ. It stands in stark contrast to the burdensome and joyless existence under the law.

Paul's inclusion of joy highlights its importance as evidence of a Spirit-filled life. By living in the Spirit, believers experience the joy that comes from knowing and trusting in Christ, regardless of external circumstances. 

They experience the response to grace that’s in their life. Thankfulness. And thankfulness leads to joy. 

This joy is a powerful witness to the transformative power of the Gospel and the presence of the Holy Spirit in the believer's life.

Examples of Joy in Everyday Life

1. Joy in Adversity

One of the most profound manifestations of joy is its presence even in times of adversity. Consider a person facing significant challenges, such as a serious illness or financial difficulties. 

While the situation is undoubtedly difficult, a believer who is filled with the Spirit can experience an unexplainable joy. This joy stems from the assurance that God is in control, that He has a purpose for their suffering, and that He will ultimately bring good out of their trials (Romans 8:28).

For example, someone who is a devout Christian battling cancer, finds joy in her daily life by focusing on God's promises and the support of her faith community. 

Despite her physical pain and uncertainty about the future, she radiates joy because she trusts in God's love and sovereignty. Her joy is a powerful testimony to those around her, inspiring them to seek the source of her strength.

2. Joy in Serving Others

Joy often blossoms in the act of serving others. When believers selflessly extend love, kindness, and assistance to those in need, they experience a deep sense of fulfillment and joy. This joy arises from reflecting Christ's love and grace to others, aligning one's actions with God's will.

For instance, if the Lord leads a Christian to volunteer at a local homeless shelter, they will experience immense joy each time they serve a meal or lend a listening ear to someone in need. Their joy is not derived from recognition or reward, but from the simple act of loving others as Christ loves him. 

This joy is contagious, spreading to the people they serve and their fellow volunteers, creating a community bound by the love and joy of the Spirit.

3. Joy in Worship

Worship is a natural outflow of a joyful heart. When believers gather to worship God, whether in corporate settings or personal devotion, they express their joy and gratitude for who God is and what He has done. Worshiping God in spirit and in truth (John 4:24) allows believers to experience His presence and joy more fully.

Imagine a church congregation singing hymns and songs of praise. Among them is a lady who has recently gone through a difficult divorce. Despite her heartache, she finds solace and joy in worship. 

As she lifts her voice in praise, she feels the weight of her burdens lift and the joy of the Lord filling her heart. This joy, born out of a deep connection with God, strengthens her faith and renews her hope.

Joy, as a fruit of the Spirit, is a profound and enduring gift that transcends circumstances. It is rooted in a deep relationship with God and reflects the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in a believer's life. 

The Apostle Paul emphasized joy in his letter to the Galatians to highlight the freedom and fullness found in Christ, contrasting it with the joyless existence under the law.

In everyday life, joy can be seen in adversity, in serving others, and in worship. These examples demonstrate that joy is not dependent on external factors, but is a steadfast assurance of God's love and presence. 

As believers allow the vinedresser (the Holy Spirit) to cultivate this fruit, they become powerful witnesses to the joy and hope found in Christ, drawing others to the source of their joy.