Fruit of The Spirit Pt 2
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
JOY
Text: Galatians 5:22-26
Joy is gladness from God, not circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 1:6.
In most of Paul’s writings, he associates “joy” with times of affliction.
Affliction pertains to the body and the mind.
Joy retains to the spirit despite what is happening with the body and/or mind.
James 1:2-3
The word “affliction” used in this verse is the Greek word thlipsis.
This word leaves no room for misunderstanding in regards to the intensity of the afflictions that the Thessalonians faced.
The word thlipsis gives the idea of a heavy-pressure situation.
Some scholars describe the specific act of tying a victim with a rope, laying him on his back, and then placing a huge boulder on top of him until his body was crushed.
Paul uses this word to alert us to moments when he or others went through grueling, crushing situations that would have been unbearable, intolerable, and impossible to survive if it had not been for the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit helps us in these situations by giving us supernatural “joy.”
This divine joy isn’t on the same level as happiness.
Happiness is based on circumstantial pleasure or excitement and causes one to feel hopeful or to be in high spirits.
These emotions of happiness, although very pleasurable at the moment, usually go away as quick as they came.
All it takes is one piece of bad news, a cross word from a spouse, and offensive spirit crept in, a bad report form the doctor, and unexpected bill, etc.
The joy is gone!
True joy is unaffected by outward circumstances.
True joy usually thrives best when times are tough! It is God’s supernatural response to the devil’s attacks!
The Greek word for “joy” is chara, derived from the word charis, which is the Greek word for grace.
This is important, because it tells us that chara (“joy”) is produced by the charis (“grace”) of God.
That means “joy” isn’t a human-based happiness that comes and goes.
True “joy” is divine in origin, a fruit of the Spirit that is manifested particularly in hard times.
“Joy” is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best when times tough!
In I Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians were under tremendous stress due to persecution; but in the middle of it all, they continued to experience great joy.
The Greek here gives the idea that their supernatural joy was due to the Holy Spirit working inside them. Paul even called it the “joy of the Holy Ghost”.
An interpretive translation of I Thessalonians 1:6 could be the following:
“You threw your arms open wide and gladly welcomed the Word into your lives with great enthusiasm. And you did it even in the midst of mind-boggling sufferings — a level of stress and intensity that would be suffocating and crushing for most people. But while you were going through all these hardships and hassles, you were simultaneously experiencing the supreme ecstasy and joy of the Holy Spirit.”
The best that the world has to offer is a temporary happiness.
When the seed of God’s grace has been placed inside your spirit, that seed produces a “joy” that isn’t based on outward events or circumstances.
When times get tough, the supernatural grace of God rises up inside you to defeat the pressure of the enemy!
This supernatural “joy” will get you through anything the enemy can throw at you.
Psalm 51 verse 12
John 15:11
Psalms 16:11
Psalm 30:5
Joy is gladness from God, not circumstances.
1 Thessalonians 1:6.
In most of Paul’s writings, he associates “joy” with times of affliction.
Affliction pertains to the body and the mind.
Joy retains to the spirit despite what is happening with the body and/or mind.
James 1:2-3
The word “affliction” used in this verse is the Greek word thlipsis.
This word leaves no room for misunderstanding in regards to the intensity of the afflictions that the Thessalonians faced.
The word thlipsis gives the idea of a heavy-pressure situation.
Some scholars describe the specific act of tying a victim with a rope, laying him on his back, and then placing a huge boulder on top of him until his body was crushed.
Paul uses this word to alert us to moments when he or others went through grueling, crushing situations that would have been unbearable, intolerable, and impossible to survive if it had not been for the help of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit helps us in these situations by giving us supernatural “joy.”
This divine joy isn’t on the same level as happiness.
Happiness is based on circumstantial pleasure or excitement and causes one to feel hopeful or to be in high spirits.
These emotions of happiness, although very pleasurable at the moment, usually go away as quick as they came.
All it takes is one piece of bad news, a cross word from a spouse, and offensive spirit crept in, a bad report form the doctor, and unexpected bill, etc.
The joy is gone!
True joy is unaffected by outward circumstances.
True joy usually thrives best when times are tough! It is God’s supernatural response to the devil’s attacks!
The Greek word for “joy” is chara, derived from the word charis, which is the Greek word for grace.
This is important, because it tells us that chara (“joy”) is produced by the charis (“grace”) of God.
That means “joy” isn’t a human-based happiness that comes and goes.
True “joy” is divine in origin, a fruit of the Spirit that is manifested particularly in hard times.
“Joy” is a Spirit-given expression that flourishes best when times tough!
In I Thessalonians 1:6, the Thessalonians were under tremendous stress due to persecution; but in the middle of it all, they continued to experience great joy.
The Greek here gives the idea that their supernatural joy was due to the Holy Spirit working inside them. Paul even called it the “joy of the Holy Ghost”.
An interpretive translation of I Thessalonians 1:6 could be the following:
“You threw your arms open wide and gladly welcomed the Word into your lives with great enthusiasm. And you did it even in the midst of mind-boggling sufferings — a level of stress and intensity that would be suffocating and crushing for most people. But while you were going through all these hardships and hassles, you were simultaneously experiencing the supreme ecstasy and joy of the Holy Spirit.”
The best that the world has to offer is a temporary happiness.
When the seed of God’s grace has been placed inside your spirit, that seed produces a “joy” that isn’t based on outward events or circumstances.
When times get tough, the supernatural grace of God rises up inside you to defeat the pressure of the enemy!
This supernatural “joy” will get you through anything the enemy can throw at you.
Psalm 51 verse 12
John 15:11
Psalms 16:11
Psalm 30:5
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