You may find part one HERE.
After completing a sober self-examination to see if you are in the faith, and of repenting of any sinful grumbling or other activity in which the Holy Spirit convicts, it may be that your joy still feels elusive. It’s important to define at this point the word “joy”.
Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of the English Language defines joy as “The passion or emotion excited by the acquisition or expectation of good; that excitement of pleasurable feelings which is caused by success, good fortune, the gratification of desire or some good possessed, or by a rational prospect of possessing what we love or desire; gladness; exultation; exhilaration of spirits. JOY is a delight of the mind.”
Lest we conclude that this means, practically, that joy in essence is receiving every material good that we could possibly want, let us recall that what we naturally want is by our very nature marred by sin. If we desire above all God’s will and His purposes, regardless of our state in life, our joy will be full. After all, it was Jesus who for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross (Hebrews 12:2), a horrific and barbaric means of torture and execution that did not even compare to the wrath of God Jesus endured. And yet there was joy upon that endurance.
Perhaps a good start is to consider answering the question for yourself (and myself!): I will be full of joy when… (fill in the blank), or I will be full of joy if… (fill in the blank). What is your expectation for, and hope in, and are those things transcendent enough to offer peace in your soul? In other words, is idolatry ruling anywhere in your heart? Rejoice if it be found, my friend, for it is quenched by repentance, and what kindness God gives when He reveals those things to us.
There are other means by which to activate an awareness to where we are not walking in the Spirit, and thus lacking in joy. Bible study is of course foundational, because God uses His Word to teach and to lead us in righteousness. But many of us, although we know—or claim to know—the Scriptures, still find ourselves feeling lowly. We think we ARE rejoicing always, we think we ARE NOT exasperating our children. Doctrine may or may not really be playing out in our lives as we think them to be. After all, even the way of a fool is right in his own eyes (Proverbs 12:15). Even so, daily Bible reading and sober study is primary to thinking right thoughts about matters.
Another means to becoming more aware of quenching the Spirit is to ask other people about our personal habits. There are two considerations here. One, are you humble enough to ask? Are you able to look your child in the eye and ask, “Do you think Mommy spends too much time on her phone?” Or to your husband, “Do you feel that I really respect you?” Or to your friend, “Am I a good listener; do I really hear you?”
The second consideration is the honesty in which you can expect to receive in making such inquiries. Do these people feel free to answer truthfully? Or do they know you will pout or argue or defend yourself or get angry or sent into a black hole of pity? In other words, is your relationship such that you can expect a tender response?
If not, you may still have some opportunity to examine your habits on your own. An example would be to download an app that is unbiased. The FlyLady housekeeping app would help you to see how well (or not) you are doing in keeping the house (and help you to do better). The Moment app would help you to see how many hours (yes, yes hours) you truly are spending on Facebook or other social media every day.
In other words, don’t just give yourself a pass at how well you are working out your faith in practice. Put everything to the test, by submitting to the observations of others or of objective apps. Study Titus 2:3-5 and pick apart each area, examining yourself but NOT simply assuming wisdom on your own (Proverbs 26:12). In this way, you may avoid self-deception and truly own up to those areas in your life that need the light of wisdom in, so that you may grow in joyfulness out of a pure heart.
More to come.
Blessings,
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