But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy……. Galatians 5:22
Joy is the next “fruit” we see in Galatians 5:22, produced by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. In his commentary on this passage, Warren Wiersbe likens joy to “holy optimism.”
Living in a world of hardships and struggles makes it often difficult to experience joy. It has to come from within us because it does not come naturally to us.
It will be a work of the Holy Spirit. This joy “that the people of God should have is holy and pure. This joy rises above circumstances and focuses on the very character of God….. God’s characteristics as well as His acts are the cause of rejoicing…..This kind of joy looks beyond the present to our future salvation…. and to our sovereign God, who works out all things for our ultimate good, which is Christlikeness …..This kind of joy is distinct from mere happiness. Joy like this is possible, even in the midst of sorrow.” (Nelson Dictionary, 2014)
The Holy Spirit can produce joy in our lives when we don’t feel like it. He can replace our “feelings” with genuine joy that trust in the character of God. Who can be trusted with every detail of our lives.
Joy requires us not to look at the circumstances around us but to look to the one who is in control of everything.
There are several ways we can see joy in our lives. I love the list Gotquestions.org gives us:
“the joy of deliverance: when God sets someone free, joy of salvation, the joy of spiritual maturity as the Holy Spirit works in us to bear more fruit and, the joy of God’s presence when the Holy Spirit draws us to God, in whose presence we can know true joy.”
In John 15, Jesus talks about abiding in Him. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 ESV)
When we abide in Christ, we are to bear fruit. Fruit produced by the Holy Spirit indwelling in us.
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples…. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
(John 15:8 & 11 ESV)
The joy the Holy Spirit has given us amid difficult times glorifies God. It demonstrates to others that our trust is in something greater than us—in a Sovereign God who is with us through the difficult times and who is in control.
Reference
The Wiersbe Bible Commentary By Warren W. Wiersbe (2003)
Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary Editor Ronald F. Youngblood (2014)
GotQuestions: The Fruit of the Holy Spirit – What is joy? https://www.gotquestions.org/fruit-Holy-Spirit-joy.html
