Joy is a powerful fruit of the Holy Spirit. It is the privilege of every Christian to walk in the light, to have all round peace, and experience joy that flows like a river. There is a difference between happiness and joy; happiness is usually triggered by happenings around a person. A negative turn in circumstances could spoil or ruin happiness. However, joy flows right on through times of trouble, unhindered through dark and difficult periods of life and even in times of persecution or opposition. Nothing hinders the flow of joy because it is not dependent on any earthly condition, but on a spiritual conviction. Joy is an exclusive privilege of the children of God; He gives His people perpetual joy as a reward of obedience to His word. Jeremiah 15:16 says:
“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by the name, O Lord God of hosts.”

Joy is divine and is rooted in the word of God. Christians should search for joy through the Word and not in the world. This joy propels people to preach to sinners, help the poor, visit the widow and the fatherless, and spread the good news of the kingdom. Therefore, the kind of joy that is not beneficial to others and does nothing to promote the gospel of Jesus Christ is not worth it, and cannot be from God.

There are however, diverse kinds of Joy: there is joy of one’s own salvation, the joy of the salvation of others, and the joy of seeing young converts walking in the truth. The joy that comes from the salvation of others surpasses the joy of our own salvation. The blessed privileges of being used of God to win souls to Christ, and to see people being delivered from sin, sickness, poverty, and bondage, is the highest honour anyone can receive. I pray that the joy of the Lord will overflow in you and become a source of joy to the whole world, in the mighty name of Jesus.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.