"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
Our third fruit of the Spirit is joy. As we discover the true meaning of biblical joy that Paul was talking about when he wrote Galatians, we're going to first turn to the Word of God. In the English Standard Version (ESV) of the Bible, the word "joy" is found 172 times. God has a lot to say about it! Let's take a look at a few passages.
"For you, O Lord, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy." Psalm 92:4
"Shout, and sing for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for great in your midst is the Holy One of Israel." Isaiah 12:6
"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full." John 15:10-11
Did you catch what was so special about these passages? In every single one, not only is joy mentioned, but the source of biblical joy is revealed. Look back at Psalm 92:4. The reason the Psalmist sings for joy? Because of the works of the Lord! How about Isaiah 12:6? The same reason! The inhabitants of Zion are to sing for joy because the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, is in their midst! Finally, re-read John 15:10-11. This is Jesus talking to His disciples. In John chapter 15, Jesus has encouraged His disciples and challenged them to abide in Him and to obey and follow Him. Now He says, "The reason I told you all these things is that you can have full, true joy! And not just any joy. My joy. The joy that only I can give you."
The key to biblical joy is this: It is not found in circumstances, in people, in money, or in possessions; the source and key to true joy is only found in the Lord. Once your eyes are removed from the things of the world, you can fixate them on God. And once your eyes are fixated on God, circumstances can't define your joy. Even when you go through difficult times, through persecution and sickness and grief and sorrow, if your eyes are on the Lord, nothing on heaven or on earth can quench your joy.
"There is a joy which is not given to the ungodly, but to those who love Thee for Thine own sake, whose joy Thou Thyself art. And this is the happy life, to rejoice to Thee, of Thee, for Thee; this it is, and there is no other." - Augustine.