Let’s Talk About Joy: What IS Joy?
What is joy? Webster’s Dictionary says it is: “intense happiness or great delight; that which gives rise to this emotion, or on which the emotion centers; the outward expression.”
The Bible Dictionary says of joy: “In the Word of God, joy is an attribute of Diety (Psalm 104:3), and is an important part of that nine-fold ‘Fruit of the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:22-23), which He imparts to believers (Galatians 5:24). Joy is often equated with happiness, but the two are quite distinct. Happiness depends largely upon happenings: good health, congenial company, pleasant surroundings, etc. Happiness and unhappiness do not exist together; but joy and sorrow can and do. Our Lord was ‘A man of sorrows and acquainted with grief’ (Isaiah 53:3) but ‘for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God’ (Hebrews 12:2). Paul and Silas experienced it in prison (Acts 16:23-33).”
The opposite of joy is: grief, affliction, depression, despair, wretchedness. The Bible says in Romans 14:17 (AMP), “… for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” If the kingdom of God = joy, then joy = the kingdom of God! The kingdom of God is here on earth – it is inside of us, not to be withheld from us until we leave this world. This scripture in Romans says that the kingdom of God is ‘joy in the Holy Spirit.’ There is a relationship of joy when we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit.
Here are some words we need to ponder from Webster’s:
*Kingdom: the territory, people, state, or realm ruled by a king or queen; a monarchy. The spiritual dominion of God on earth; any separate field of independent authority, action, or influence.
*Relationship: the state of being related. The mutual exchange between two people or groups who have dealings with one another.
*Treasure: anything very valuable; a person whom one thinks of as being of rare excellence; to value highly; to keep in the memory with special pleasure; to treasure someone’s words.
Jesus is our treasure. Jesus in us is the kingdom of heaven. 2 Corinthians 4:7 (KJV) says, “But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us.”
Jesus says in Matthew 13:44 (AMP), “The kingdom of heaven is like a [very precious] treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid again; then in his joy he goes and sells all he has and buys that field [securing the treasure for himself].” So then, we should find great joy when we allow Jesus into our hearts, to set up His kingdom inside of us, to rule and reign in our hearts and our lives! We should regard Him as a precious treasure, protecting our relationship with Him and allowing His glory to be shown in our lives! This is true joy!