In what way is joy a fruit of the Holy Spirit?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22-23 is a group of character attributes that should be evident in the life of every believer in Christ and that believers should strive to develop by the Spirit. Joy is the second attribute listed in these verses. Biblical joy is a deep, abiding sense of happiness and contentment rooted in God’s love, promises, and salvation, regardless of external circumstances. The Bible gives us examples of many ways we experience joy as a result of our relationship with God. The Greek word for “ joy” is “ chara ,” closely related to the word “ charis” which means “ gift .” We can experience the gift of joy because of God’s presence, grace, and work in our lives and in the lives of those around us. A believer can have joy in the midst of any circumstance because of these gifts . Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, not only can we personally experience His joy in this life and eternity, but we can experience the joy of witnessing others discover His salvation and grace for themselves.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Hannah, the mother of Samuel, had great joy when God delivered her from her enemies and answered her prayers (1 Samuel 2:1).
• We find joy and gladness when we put our faith in God and take refuge in Him (Psalm 5:11).
• When we spend time in the presence of God, we feel true, eternal joy (Psalm 16:11).
• When we feel anxious and afraid, the comfort God gives us replaces those negative feelings with joy (Psalm 94:19).
• We are called to worship God with joyful songs and gladness (Psalm 100:2).
• When we look back at the things God has done for us and how He has provided for us, it gives us joy (Psalm 126:3).
• The story of Job seems void of joy as Job loses everything he has and experiences great personal suffering. However, Job 8:21 reminds us that even when we are in the middle of suffering we think may never end, we can be assured that it will have a conclusion and that God will restore to us laughter and joy.
• God, Himself, is joyful He rejoices over those who follow Him (Zephaniah 3:17).

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• In Matthew 5:12 Jesus reminds us to rejoice when we experience persecution because of our belief in Him; it means we have a great reward in Heaven.
• Christ’s resurrection gave the early believers great joy and also gives us joy, knowing we serve a risen Savior (Matthew 28:8).
• We can have joy when we remember and witness God’s power over the sinful world around us (Luke 10:17).
• Jesus is the only source of true, complete joy (John 15:11).
• The nine attributes that make up the fruit of the Spirit include joy (Galatians 5:22-23). Joy is a result of the Spirit’s work in our lives and should be evident in believers.
• We experience joy when we are with like-minded believers (Philippians 2:2).
• Even during trials, we can have joy because we know that we have a promise of eternal life and treasure in Heaven (Hebrews 10:34).
• When we experience trials because of our faith, we can have joy, because trials help us develop our faith and become stronger followers of Christ (James 1:2-4).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Joy is a characteristic of a believer in Christ. The more we grow and develop in our faith, the greater our joy will be. Jesus is the only true, complete source of joy, and closeness to Him will bring more of it to our lives. Joy may not always feel like a natural response, especially when we are facing life’s trials and difficulties. During these times, we can remind ourselves that we have an everlasting source of joy in Christ and the promise that we will have a joyful eternity in Heaven with Him. We can also remember that experiencing joy in painful, difficult circumstances, especially persecution for our faith, can make us stronger believers and bring us closer to God. Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for us to experience His joy in this life and for eternity.

UNDERSTAND

• Having joy is evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in believers’ lives.
• We can have joy in good times and bad because our joy does not come from worldly things or circumstances.
• Our joy comes from knowing Christ in this life and knowing that our eternity is with Him in Heaven.

REFLECT

• How can you remind yourself of God’s joy during difficult or uncertain times?
• In what areas of your life do you struggle to experience or express joy, and how can you invite the Holy Spirit to work in those areas?
• How does your understanding of Christ’s resurrection deepen your experience of joy in your daily life?

ENGAGE

• What role does community play in cultivating joy in our lives?
• What are some practical ways we can experience and share joy with others, especially those who don't yet know Christ?
• How can we help others understand that joy isn't just about feeling happy, but about a deep contentment in God’s promises?