Part 18: Joy - Fruit of the Spirit

Grows from

Galatians 5:22

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith.”

Key passages

John 15:11

“These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
“I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full.”

John 16:24

“Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.”
“Until now, you have asked nothing in my name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be made full.”

Galatians 5:22-23

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

Romans 14:17

“For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.”
“For God’s Kingdom is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.”

Philippians 4:4

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
“Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I will say, ‘Rejoice!”

Nehemiah 8:10

“Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”
“Then he said to them, ‘Go your way. Eat the fat, drink the sweet, and send portions to him for whom nothing is prepared, for today is holy to our Lord. Don’t be grieved, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 16:11

“Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.”
“You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.”

Luke 15:7, 10

“I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. … Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
“I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. … Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.”

James 1:2-4

“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.”
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

Hebrews 12:2

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who 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.”
“Looking to Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.”

1 Peter 1:8

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory.”
“Whom, not having known, you love. In him, though now you don’t see him, yet believing, you rejoice greatly with joy that is unspeakable and full of glory.”

What Scripture says

Christ’s joy in us → our joy full (John 15:11).
Asking in His name → joy full (John 16:24).
Joy is fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22).
Kingdom = righteousness, peace, joy in the Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17).
Rejoice always (Phil 4:4).
The joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10).
Fullness of joy in His presence (Ps 16:11).
Heaven rejoices over a sinner who repents (Luke 15:7, 10).
Count it joy in trials — testing produces patience (James 1:2-4).
Christ endured the cross “for the joy that was set before Him” (Heb 12:2).
Believers rejoice with joy inexpressible though not seeing Him (1 Pet 1:8).

Connections

To Holy Spirit — fruit (Gal 5:22); joy in Holy Spirit (Rom 14:17)
To Repentance — heaven’s joy (Luke 15:7, 10)
To Faith — believing → joy inexpressible (1 Pet 1:8)
To Patience — testing of faith produces patience, count it joy (James 1:2-4)
To Asking — ask in His name, joy full (John 16:24)
To Peace — paired (Rom 14:17; Gal 5:22)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, in Your presence is fullness of joy. Thank You that the joy of the Lord is our strength.

Lord Jesus, You spoke to us so that Your joy would remain in us and our joy would be full. Holy Spirit, grow this fruit in us. Teach us to count it all joy, even in trials, as we look to Jesus.

In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.