Welcome back to the walk through the Fruit of the Spirit. In no uncertain terms, Love as a fruit of the Spirit is a God honoring and defining fruit. When one shows unconditional love, it is the closest that person comes to emulating God.
The second listed fruit is Joy. Joy is the soul-filling and enriching fruit God uses to keep us moving forward in our walk with Him. Joy is not “happiness”.
Happiness is a circumstance-based emotion. We “feel” happy when circumstances bring that emotion forward. Happiness is an important emotion. Happiness keeps us young and allows us to walk through life with less fear and stress.
Joy, however, is a different thing entirely. Joy comes from our relationship with the Lord and is distributed to us through God’s power. Throughout the Word of God, prophets, priests, and apostles speak of Joy as a gift from God’s Spirit that provides completeness and strength. It is better than riches, wine, or feasts as those things are temporal and can disappear in a moment.
Conversely, Joy comes from the Lord and is a part of us that lasts through all of Life’s seasons. When we cling to the Lord, His Joy explodes in us to make us complete and able to face whatever circumstance with hope and confidence that God Himself will prepare, protect, and provide for His Chosen. It is a fruit that is ever present and almost a permanent label of who and Whose we are in Christ.
This week as we look at Joy, we can rest in the confidence that as His own, God wants us to experience and be filled with His Joy!
God Bless You
Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Romans 15:13
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
1 Peter 1:8
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.
Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.Romans 14:17For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
Psalm 16:8-9
I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore, my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure.
John 15:10-11
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.
Nehemiah 8:10
Then he said to them, “Go your way. Eat the fat and drink sweet wine and send portions to anyone who has nothing ready, for this day is holy to our Lord. And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Psalm 4:6-7
There are many who say, “Who will show us some good? Lift up the light of your face upon us, O Lord!” You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.
Walking With God 