Definition Of Joy Biblical
While these words define the emotion of joy none reflect the source of the emotion.
Definition of joy biblical. It flows into and grows within the person whose life and energies are not focused merely on being joyful the lives of those in this world who are so zealously chasing after it prove this point. T he word joy is defined by merriam webster as the emotion evoked by well being success or good fortune or by the prospect of possessing what one desires the expression or exhibition of such emotion a state of happiness. Gladness in the lord if asked to define joy most people would give a word similar to gladness such as happiness contentment or delight. It is the reverse of happiness.
The idea of joy is expressed in the old testament by a wealth of synonymous terms that cannot easily be differentiated. Christian joy is a good feeling. 57 times in the new testament in 18 books. Joy is a state of mind and an orientation of the heart.
A number of greek and hebrew words are used in the bible to convey the ideas of joy and rejoicing. Joy is a permanent possession while happiness is fleeting. It appears 88 times in the old testament in 22 books. It is something or someone that provides a source of happiness.
Biblical joy is a fruit a byproduct an additional blessing not the end in itself. Author and minister s d. It is a settled state of contentment confidence and hope. Joy is a choice.
Gordon does a good job explaining why joy is uniquely defined and how it differs from happiness. Joy stays happiness comes and goes so why aren t you more joyful if you are a child of god. Let us look at the biblical understanding of joy. These things i have spoken to you that my joy may remain in you and that your joy may be full john 15 11.
Simply put biblical joy is choosing to respond to external circumstances with inner contentment and satisfaction because we know that god will use these experiences to accomplish his work in and through our lives. If they are still chasing it they must not yet have it. The happy state that results from knowing and serving god. Worldly joy is fickle and temporary.
A biblical definition of joy. Joy is distinctly a christian word and a christian thing. We have the same situation in english with such nearly synonymous words as joy happiness pleasure delight gladness merriment felicity and enjoyment. Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul produced by the holy spirit as he causes us to see the beauty of christ in the word and in the world.
I am talking about christian joy as paul the apostle describes it. Webster s new world dictionary of the american language defines joy as a very glad feeling that is not very helpful because it is so incomplete a definition of joy that it.