Why Don’t More Christians Have Joy?
Joy is an inner delight derived from an intimate relationship with Christ. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)
Happiness is circumstantial, but joy is relational. Intimate relationships lead to fullness of joy. (John 15:9-13, NKJV) “Love” is used 8 times in 5 verses. If God says it once, it’s important.
If God says it 8 times, it’s very, very important. If you want to have the fullness of joy, you have to have the love of God. Joy is the result of an intimate relationship with God.
3 Things that fight joy:
(James 3:16, NKJV, NLT)
Selfishness robs our joy and brings disorder instead of order.
Selfishness always brings sadness. (James 4:1-2, NKJV; Philippians 4:4-5, TLB)
Bitterness robs joy. (Hebrews 12:15, NKJV)
How you learn to deal with hurt will greatly determine your joy. Hurting people hurt people, people that hurt people end up lonely people.
Fear robs joy. (1 John 4:18, NKJV)
- To avoid fear, remember God’s protection. (2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV; Genesis 15:1, NKJV; NLT)
- To avoid fear, think on God and His Word; Don’t leave God out of your thinking. (Joshua 1:7-9, NKJV)
- Fear God, instead of man. (Proverbs 29:25, NKJV; NLT; NKJV; Psalms 111:10, NKJV; Genesis 22:12, NKJV)
- The promise of God’s protection can keep us from fear. (Genesis 15:1, NKJV; NLT)
3 Things that fight for joy:
- Giving, not getting. (Acts 20:35, NKJV; Luke 6:38, NKJV)
- Focus on healing, not hurting. (Colossians 3:12-14, NKJV; Colossians 3:12-13, NLT)
- Focus on God’s power, not your problems. (Psalms 62:8, NKJV; Psalms 37:4-5, NKJV; Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV; Nehemiah 8:10, NKJV; Genesis 18:14, NKJV; Matthew 17:19-21, NKJV; Matthew 19:26, NKJV; Luke 1:37-38, NKJV; Hebrews 11:6, NKJV)
