JOY
INTERACTIVE BIBLE STUDY

Is joy possible and is it appropriate in a world of pain and turmoil? Study what the Scriptures teach about happiness, laughing, sorrow, contentment and the appropriate "mood" of a Christian.

"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice." Philip. 4:4

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Joy - Is it possible?

Is joy possible and is it appropriate in a world full of pain and turmoil?
The following answers present several possibilities:
  • A. There is too much sorrow in the world for joy to be possible.
  • B. Joy is possible, but Christians should usually hold back happiness in order to be taken seriously.
  • C. Joy and all emotion should be suppressed through meditation and serious study so we might help others more effectively.
  • D. It is good to laugh, mourn, weep and dance. Through all outward emotions, Christians should have an inward joy.
Let's examine the Bible evidence too discover the answer...




What is Joy

Numerous Hebrew and Greek words are translated into "joy" in the bible. Here are some of the more common words along with their meanings.
  • teruwah = Noise, shouting, clamor and sounds.
  • simchah = Glee, mirth, pleasure, blithesomeness (also commonly translated into "glad" or "rejoice".
  • chara/chairo = Cheerful, calmly happy (these words were also often translated into "glad" and "rejoice".
  • euphraino = To be in a good frame of mind, make merry.
  • agalliao = Exult, jump for joy, rejoice greatly.
  • oninemi = Gratify, derive pleasure.




What is Joy?

Based on those Hebrew and Greek definitions, joy can manifest itself in many ways, including:

In Your Actions:
Singing, shouting, laughing, playing instruments and feasting.

In Your Mind:
You will be in a good frame of mind, content, happy and cheerful.

Joy can be an outward bubbling of emotion and display or an inward calm and cheerfulness. The Bible indicates there is a time for both.

Now, let's look at the Bible evidence...




Joy is manifested outwardly

1
James 5:13 - "Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms."
1
Sing!
2
Psalm 98:6 - "With trumpets and sound of cornet make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King."
2
Play instruments!
3
Zech. 9:9 - "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass."
3
Shout!
4
Eccles. 9:7 - "Go thy way, eat thy bread with joy, and drink thy wine with a merry heart; for God now accepteth thy works."
4
Eat, drink and be merry!




Outward joy is not manifested continually

1
"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven... A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance" (Eccles. 3:1,4).

"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (Rom. 12:15).
1
Having joy doesn't mean showing it outwardly all the time.
2
"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness" (James 4:8-9).
2
There are also times for mourning, such as when sin occurs...
3
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matt. 5:4).
3
...or when experiencing grief. In fact, those who have to endure mourning are blessed.




Joy is manifested inwardly

1
"For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day" (2 Cor. 4:16).

"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content" (Phil. 4:11).
1
But, through all mourning and trials, we can have inward peace, contentment and maintain a cheerful attitude.
2
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 15:13).
2
Joy is manifested by a heart full of peace and hope.




Inward joy is manifested continually

1
"As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things" (2 Cor. 6:10).
1
The Greek word translated into "rejoice" in these texts is "chairo", which means cheerful, calmly happy or well off.
2
"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice" (Philip. 4:4).

"Rejoice evermore" (1 Thess. 5:16).
2
This inward type of joy can be continual.




Joy is a result of being led by the Holy Spirit

1
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law" (Gal. 5:22-23).
1
Joy is a gift received after allowing God's Holy Spirit to lead in the life.
2
"Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season" (Heb. 11:25).
2
Happiness that doesn't come from God may seem enjoyable, but is fleeting and will not last.




Some types of joy do not come from the Holy Spirit

1
"Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause" (Psalm 35:19).

"Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth" (Prov. 24:17).
1
There are things which shouldn't bring rejoicing.
2
"To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked" (Prov. 2:12-14).
2
Rejoicing in evil is not a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Neither is being happy about the perversity or fraud of others.




Joy is a result of being in the presence of God

1
"Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore" (Psalm 16:11).
1
When in God's presence (this can have literal and figurative applications), we have complete joy.
2
"Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance" (Acts 2:28).
2
The Greek word translated to "countenance" means appearance or presence.




God has joy

1
"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" (Luke 15:7).

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing" (Zeph. 3:17).
1
God and all of heaven rejoice over each person that is saved.




Jesus has joy

1
"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" (Heb. 12:2).
1
The extreme suffering Jesus endured is far surpassed by the joy He receives afterwards.
2
"Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy" (Jude 1:24).
2
It will make Jesus very happy to transform us into perfection.




The apostles had joy

1
"And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost" (Acts 13:52).
1
The apostles are referenced as having joy, rejoicing and being glad many times in the bible.
2
"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth" (3 John 1:4).
2
They rejoiced when people continued in the truth...
3
"What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice" (Philip. 1:18).
3
...and whenever Christ was preached.




Joy has health benefits

1
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones" (Prov. 17:22).
1
This well-known text is proven true over and over. Happiness improves health!
2
"Behold, I will bring it health and cure, and I will cure them, and will reveal unto them the abundance of peace and truth" (Jer. 33:6).
2
God is the source of joy and brings health to body and mind!




What should cause joy? God's character

1
"O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for thou shalt judge the people righteously, and govern the nations upon earth. Selah" (Psalm 67:4).
1
We can be extremely grateful and joyful about the righteous aspects of God's character.
2
"I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities" (Psalm 31:7).
2
He judges fairly, but shows a plentitude of mercy.
3
"Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17).
3
He gives good things and promises to give more good things.




What should cause joy? God's Word

1
"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 thy name, O LORD God of hosts" (Jer. 15:16).
1
The things discovered in God's Word will cause joy.
2
"These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full" (John 15:11).

"And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" (1 John 1:4).
2
Jesus and the apostles recorded information that is revealed to make us happy.




What should cause joy? The success of others

1
"Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant" (Psalm 35:27).
1
A Christian should rejoice when other Christians are safe, healthy and happy.
2
"And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren" (Acts 15:3).
2
When nonbelievers accept Christ, it is also cause for great joy!




What should cause joy? A good family

1
"The father of the righteous shall greatly rejoice: and he that begetteth a wise child shall have joy of him" (Prov. 23:24).

"He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children. Praise ye the LORD" (Psalm 113:9).

"Correct thy son, and he shall give thee rest; yea, he shall give delight unto thy soul" (Prov. 29:17).
1
A person can be the cause of shame or joy to his or her family. Treating family right, brings much joy to life.




What should cause joy? Working

1
"Every man also to whom God hath given riches and wealth, and hath given him power to eat thereof, and to take his portion, and to rejoice in his labour; this is the gift of God" (Eccles. 5:19).
1
Be cheerful in work and thankful for it.
2
"For thou shalt eat the labour of thine hands: happy shalt thou be, and it shall be well with thee" (Psalm 128:2).
2
Being able to enjoy the things that result from your own work brings happiness.




What should cause joy? Having a pure heart

1
"Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart" (Psalm 32:11).
1
Be joyful, allowing God to purify your heart.
2
"Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy" (Prov. 12:20).

"Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy" (1 Chron. 29:9).
2
If heart and motives are pure, it is a great cause for rejoicing.




What should cause joy? Helping others

1
"He that despiseth his neighbour sinneth: but he that hath mercy on the poor, happy is he" (Prov. 14:21).

"Because I delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me: and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy" (Job 29:12-13).
1
By making others happy, one also experiences happiness.
2
"I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart" (Psalm 40:8).

"Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law" (Rom. 13:10).
2
Jesus commands to love our neighbor. It should cause great joy to do nice things for others.




What should cause joy? Suffering for Jesus' sake

1
"But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled" (1 Pet. 3:14).
1
Standing up for the truth and what is right, will result in happiness and peace of mind.
2
"Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you" (Matt. 5:12).
2
Rejoice because an experience in heaven will far out-weigh the suffering experienced in this world.




What should cause joy? Salvation

1
"Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation" (Is. 12:3).
1
God offers salvation freely!
2
"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels" (Is. 61:10).
2
Jesus has made it possible to overcome sin because His righteousness replaces your unrighteousness.
3
"Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven" (Luke 10:20).




What should cause joy? Finding the kingdom of heaven

1
"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field" (Matt. 13:44).

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost" (Rom. 14:17).
1
Accepting Christ brings understanding of God's kingdom and joy is the inevitable result.

The knowledge is like a precious treasure and causes a desire to celebrate.




Review the original question

Is joy possible and is it appropriate in a world full of pain and turmoil?
  • A. There is too much sorrow in the world for joy to be possible.
  • B. Joy is possible, but Christians should usually hold back happiness in order to be taken seriously.
  • C. Joy and all emotion should be suppressed through meditation and serious study so we might help others more effectively.
  • D. It is good to laugh, mourn, weep and dance. Through all outward emotions, Christians should have an inward joy.
Answer D: It is good to laugh, mourn, weep and dance. Through all outward emotions, Christians should have an inward joy.




End of Study

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