Joy or Happiness?
Blog, born again, Erik Garthe, Faithfulness, Flesh, Gentleness, Goodness, Grace, Happiness, Joy, Joy or Happiness?, Kindness, Longsuffering, love, Natural Inclinations, No Longer Conformed, Patience, Peace, Satan, Self-control
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What is the difference between joy and happiness? One originates internally, the other is external. In Paul’s letter to the Christians of Galatia, he wrote that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23)
The apostle made that statement while discussing the believer’s call to walk in the Spirit rather than in the flesh. What was he saying? God sent the Holy Spirit to dwell continuously in all those who have been “born again” (saved) by faith in Jesus Christ. At salvation, a struggle begins within every new believer. The Spirit prompts the Christian to live according to the truth of Scripture, while Satan works to get him to continue to function according to natural inclinations. How a believer responds to these influences determines his power source for life. If he disobediently follows his own inclinations, he walks in “the flesh” and has only his limited human resources available to him. On the other hand, if he obediently applies the principles of God’s Word to his life, he has the inexhaustible resource of God’s grace at work in him. When a believer is “led by the Spirit”, the above-mentioned fruit will bear in his life. The production of spiritual fruit is not dependent upon favorable external circumstances, but upon yielding to the Holy Spirit within. “Joy” is one of those fruit. However, “happiness” is dependent upon favorable influences and circumstances in a person’s life. If things are going well, he feels happy. If situations are not favorable, then happiness tends to fade away. What does all this mean? Simply, a spirit-led Christian can experience joy no matter what is happening in his life. However, a flesh-controlled (carnal) Christian can only know happiness if his sensual desires are being satisfied. What about your Christian walk? Do you experience lasting joy or temporal happiness? Think about it!
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.
