whether we are rich or poor, at peace or under the strain of war. Joy is both an asset and a de fense for the Christian. As an asset it is a desirable gift from God be cause it brightens life and lifts the spirit. Joy is also a defense against the agony of heartache. Without joy in the life, we may be driven to alcohol, materialism, or lying in an effort to gain some happiness in life. A truly satisfied person is not as likely to make a fool of him self before God and man as one who is restless and searching. Paul exhorts us appropriately, "This I say then, walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). This is the only way we can produce the fruit of the Spirit. By yielding to the power resident within us as believers, we will begin to produce the quality of joy automatically. We will likewise turn our backs on those things which would cause anguish and defeat along the way. If you do not have real joy, that which only God can give, you will always be looking for something more, no matter what your posi tion or possessions. Joy is a God- given defense against the tendency to find contentment in some of the temptations the devil puts be fore us. Real joy can lift our spirit even amid sorrow and heaviness. Sorrow in Scripture may refer to a specific hurt or pain. It can be that which is either mental or physical. But it is most always specific and sharp. Christ referred to His death and resurrection by telling His disciples, "Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice; and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall Page 24
be turned into joy" (John 16:20). Here, the word translated sorrow conveys intensity, yet such sorrow can be turned to joy by walking in the Spirit with the risen Lord. Joy is also the antidote to heavi ness. In Scripture, heaviness of heart is often seen as distinct from sorrow. Heaviness is general. It describes a person bowed by the general weight of life, or as James 4:9 presents it, by the weight of the realization of our sin. As such, heaviness stands in contrast to sor row as previously defined. Joy is the quality of character which al lows us to go through the prob lems of life, even specific hurts, sorrows and despondency, while rejoicing in Christ. It can lift us above our human involvements and difficulties. Christian joy is, however, closely related to circumstances. By this I do not mean material circum stances or things which are beyond our control. For example, it is pos sible to be joyful in the midst of longsuffering (Colossians 1:11). it does remain a divine paradox of life, as is suggested in James 1:1-5. And the Apostle John wrote, "And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full" (I John 1:4) to believers who were suffering severe persecutions such as we have never known. Their personal property had been con fiscated and many of their most faithful members put to death. All of these hardships, imposed by the Emperor, were beyond their con trol. But joy is dependent upon circumstances that we control. God gives us the privilege of either sub mitting to the Holy Spirit, or of subduing and quenching Him. If we choose the circumstances of a
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