The Fruit of the Spirit: Joy

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness” (Gal. 5:22).

Joy is difficult to contain. It overflows. Here is an example of what happened when David’s sin caused him to lose his joy: “Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You” (Ps. 51:12–13).

Joy is attractive. When it is restored, sinners are converted. Before I received Christ, I was not happy, but I wanted to be. I saw men who seemed to be happy. They were not happy; they were joyful. I did not know the difference, but I wanted what they had.

If you are a Christian and are not joyful, you are under the chastening of the Lord because of unconfessed sin. Confess your sins and your life of joy will be a witness.

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Heb. 12:11).

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation” (Is. 12:2–3).

*Excerpted from Weapons & Tactics. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.

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