What Does Scripture Teach About Joy?

Yesterday at church I preached about joy in our advent series. We spent most of the time trying to come to an understanding of biblical joy and our need to fight for it daily. As we daily fight for joy, we must be equipped with the truth of God’s Word and know what it says. Here is a quick list of some of Scripture’s teaching about joy:

Its source:

• It comes from the Holy Spirit– Romans 14:17, 1 Thess. 1:6
  • • “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit.” -1 Thess. 1:6
    • Fruit of the Spirit- Gal. 5.
• It comes by faith/believing in God– Romans 15:13, Phil. 1:25
  • • “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.” -Phil. 1:25
• We find it in the presence of God– 1 Chron. 16:27, 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.” -Psalm 16:11
• Christ desires our joy and gives us his word so we’ll have joy– John 15:11
  • • “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” -John 15:11

Its nature/qualities:

• It’s inexpressible and filled with glory– 1 Peter 1:8-9
  • • “Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory…”
• It’s not based on circumstances; it can even be had in the midst of trial– James 1:2-3
  • • “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…”
• We can be sorrowful and rejoice– 2 Cor. 7:4
  • • “In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy.”
• Nobody can take it away– John 16:22
  • • “So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again, and your hearts will rejoice, and no one will take your joy from you.”

Its benefits:

• It helps us persevere– Heb. 12:2 (example of Jesus)
  • • For the joy set before Him, endured the cross…
• It’s new every morning– Psalm 30:5
  • • “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
• It’s our strength– Neh. 8:10
  • • “And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength”
• Christians always have reason to rejoice– Phil. 4:4
  • • Rejoice in the Lord, always!
• It’s good medicine– Prov. 17:22
  • • “A joyful heart is good medicine”
• It satisfies– Psalm 4:7
  • • “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.”

This is certainly not an exhaustive list, but I pray it equips you to fight for joy as you go through your week. Thank God that the message the angels brought to the shepherds in Luke 2 was not a message of judgment and condemnation, but good news of great joy!

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