Timeless Truths: Joy Story – Three Thieves of Joy

"Some Assembly Required" series.

Series Theme Verse

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23

The fruit of the Spirit is evidence of our relationship with God.

The fruit of the Spirit is not evidence of our God-gifts.

·      This is not the “produce section” in your local store.

·      There is no choice among the listed attributes.

·      All the attributes listed are part of the single fruit.

Joy Story – Three Thieves of Joy

In Hebrew, “joy” means bright, shining or jumping around

In the New Testament, “joy” means delight. It is closely related to grace in word origin.

Happiness does not equal joy.

Happiness depends on happenings and surroundings. It’s linked to luck.

Joy is internal. It is not dependent on circumstances.

Let’s start with a question.

Do we leave people better than we find them?

Ben and Jerry of ice cream fame are on record as saying,

“If JOY is our product, we are free to FIND new, creative ways to SERVE and ENCOURAGE one another.”

In this post, we’ll look at THREE THIEVES OF JOY.

First joy thief: FEAR.

·      Fear is the first thief because the lack of trust causes us to build walls instead of bridges.

·      Fear steals joy from every relationship!

An anxious heart weighs a man down.
Proverbs 12:25

[F]ear always contains some of the torture of feeling guilty. The one who lives in fear has not yet had his love perfected.
1 John 4:18 (Phillips)

There are three possibilities for the fearful person.

A.  I become defensive.

B.   I become distant.

C.   I become demanding.

Second joy thief: RESENTMENT.

·      We all will be hurt at some time.

·      Don’t let resentment take root after a hurt.

Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it caused deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.
Hebrews 12:15

The fool who provokes his family to anger and resentment will finally have nothing worthwhile left.
Proverbs 11:29 (Living Bible)

Third joy thief: SELFISHNESS.

·      Selfishness undermines relationships.

·      We are all selfish—not something we like to admit.

Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from? They come from your desires for pleasure, which are constantly fighting within you. You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight.
James 4:1-2a (Good News)

Where there is jealousy and selfish ambition, there will be disorder and every other kind of evil.
James 3:16 (Good News)

Does your joy help you leave people better than when you found them?

Regardless of your answer, but especially if your answer is "no," come back next week!

Next week: Joy Story - Three Steps to Joy

Special thanks to Dr. Keith Newman for the primary teachings used in this post. I invite you to his blog, which he's titled, Curious Sojourner.

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