Joy Fruit of the Spirit

Joy Fruit of the Spirit

Joy is certainly not a switch we turn on and off, but rather evidence of a transformation that encompasses the entire person: the mind in its beliefs, the heart in its affections and the will in its choices. Emotions are the out flowing of who we are, and so joy is perhaps the chief barometer of how we are doing. Yet it is not joy itself that we seek, it is simply a measure of how much of Him we have truly found: joy is the barometer of our apprehension of Him.

In this transformation then, do not expect joy to appear by itself; we must remember that joy is a fruit of the Spirit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance. (Gal 5:22-23a) Notice that the fruit of the Spirit is not expressed in the plural fruits but the singular fruit. 

As we grow in likeness to Christ, as we mature in wisdom, in peace, in goodness… joy will naturally be more and more a part of our lives, just like all of the rest of the nature of Christ. This change comes organically and supernaturally as we behold and enjoy Christ, and this practice of beholding Him is actually itself the means by which we are transformed.