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DIVINE JOY vs. "human joy"


TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT KINDS OF JOY


Divine Joy is a Gift which is Given to us at the point of Salvation. Divine Joy is Spiritual in Nature; from G-d, and is Inward Rejoicing and Happiness regardless of external circumstances. It is a Direct By-Product of the Holy Spirit Rooted and Grounded within us.

After Salvation, keeping Divine Joy Working within you is very important. It can be hampered by sin. This is corrected by I John 1:9. Confession of sin. Applying His Word and those parts of The Law (I John 3:4) to areas that need it is called for.

"Human joy" or "human happiness" is "of the world"[1] and what it seeks. The worlds' "joy" or "happiness" is based on external circumstances or mental circumstances. It is "of the flesh" and can depend on ones' ability to accumulate wealth or having various "pleasing things" around them. Concentration on "thinking good thoughts" can also play a part.[2]


'HUMAN JOY" OR "HUMAN HAPPINESS"


Human joy or human happiness is the rejoicing "of the flesh" in outward things such as material possessions, awards, status, carnal satisfaction, self-promotion, or personal recognition. These things are temporary in nature, and will come and go with circumstances. These things may produce "good feelings" "for a season" to which our human emotions do respond. Since this type of happiness is based on outward circumstances, if these circumstances should fail, somehow change, or are removed, the "good feelings" that were attached to them can turn to "bad feelings" fairly rapidly, and it is revealed that the individual was depending more on the outward circumstances for their "happiness" rather than True Divine Joy.


LUST


The Scriptures call such "happiness" nothing more than "lusting after" what an individual thinks will provide satisfaction for self or their group.

"And the mixed multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, 'Who shall give us flesh to eat?'". Numbers 11:4.

We see the result of seeking things with an attitude of lusting after them. Then comes insatiability and then, weeping.[3]


SELF-INDUCED NISERY


Be not deceived; G-d is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows,that shall he also reap. For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap Life Everlasting. Galatians 6:7,8


If the flesh is pursued as an answer in lawless ways for too long, this can bring on self-induced misery. Psychiatric treatment may become necessary. Alcohol and drugs may be sought for relief from the suffering. Sometimes carnal or physical relations outside of marriage may be resorted to.

Folly is joy to him that is destitute of Wisdom: but a Man of Understanding walketh Uprightly. Proverbs 15:21

In more radical manifestations, Sado-Masochism in varying degrees can be seen.

Sometimes, poorly taught Believers think they can "coax the joy" back into a carnal person if they are just "sympathetic enough". This is absolutely not The Way. Full Repentance is required on the part of all involved (I John 1:9) and mere "sympathy" or "humanly loving" someone is a very wrong way to approach Divine Works. Their attempts are mere Humanistic Solutions that always fail in the Final Analysis.[4]

These types often begin as seemingly "well-meaning, nice people" but can end up trying to "lord it over" members of the flock saying, "you were not sympathetic enough", or "you did not show enough love", attempting to make young believers feel guilty and follow them. Meanwhile, in telling persons this, and being overly "sympathetic" to the point where they associate themselves with that persons' error in empathathic "commiseration" which can very quicly lead to everyone losing own Joy!

Because both sides only work from the "human viewpoint", all to whom they "minister" are never freed from bondage, and all who follow them become deceived and disillusioned at some point. This leads many to say "the Bible doesn't work because Minister so-and-so told me this and it didn't help me".

If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into the ditch.


DIVINE JOY


Divine Joy, on the other hand, is The Genuine Article. It is not dependant upon outward circumstances, but is Inward from the Holy Spirit acting upon the soul, heart and spirit, and is a Gift of G-d. It is in this area Believers need to focus their Faith and base their lives. There are Blessings attached to Rejoicing Inwardly toward G-d and remaining in His Joy.


"The Joy of the L-RD is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10


BLESSINGS ATTACHED


"Serve the L-RD your G-d with Gladness and a Good Heart Because of the Abundamce of All Things." Deuteronomy 28:47


"The world" cannot duplicate Divine Joy; at best, it can attempt to counterfeit it. This is because those in "the world" either are unsaved and do not possess the Holy Spirit or if they are Saved, they are said to be "quenching" or "grieving" the Holy Spirit by not focusing on the Giver: G-d. Believers who return to "the world" and seek again that which previously satisfied their fleshly desires can quickly find disappointment.

The eventuel failure of the worlds' schemes can bring disappointment and despair. Hope can be lost, and persons who trusted in "the world" can become depressed, even very depressed, dependant upon the degree to which they have so trusted. They sometimes seek out medication to alter their emotional patterns or mental state hoping "the doc" will make them "feel happy again". Others may seek psychiatric care where there is "dabbling" into the "various reasons" they have found themselves in such a situation.


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FOOTNOTES


[1]"The world" uses the word "happiness" and tends to avoid using the word "Joy" by itself (except in obvious carnal usage), perhaps because of its well-known linguistic history as a Concept with distinct Biblically Spiritual meaning.

[2] Other "religions" seek to "calm" the mental state by "meditation" an "altered state of cosciousness" or "emptying the mind of all thought" and other such devices. These can bring temporary relief but offer no lasting True Divine Joy.

[3] G-d Gave The Law to Moishe (Moses) to supply a "Schoolmaster" for Believers to see where they had "missed the mark" with regard to The Way in which to Walk. The "Schoolmaster" brings us to Moshiach (Christ) that we may know in what things G-d is well-pleased. All sin is a transgression of the Law (I John 3:4). The Moral Law remains (apart from any shedding of blood or ritual sacrifice) as Yeshua was the Final and Complete Blood Offering, and meat is Sanctified by Prayer and Thanksgiving, not any "ritual sacrifice ceremony to make it fit for consumption" which is now an abomination and a Sign that that person or group is either in unbelief or is Spiritually unaware of Christs' Finished Work on the Cross.

If the lawless "break out" and their lawlessness becomes too flagrant, the Civil Arm is called in. Remember the Civil Arm can also contain G-ds' Ministers, and they receive a Blessing and Joy from doing Justice.

It is Joy for the Just to do Judgement: Proverbs 21:15

We can also see here that even an unsaved person who is Just can receive joy by associating with what is rignt.

[4]After recognizing and strengthening Divine Joy within himself, the Believer should excersive caution and evaluate all things as to their innate "Divine Joy Content". Is Divine Joy present in the music you are listening to? Or are there fragmented messages, unresolved conflicts and "blues" content from music that just has has no or very little True Divine Joy in it? The same can be said for all forms of so-called "entertainment".

Also look for Divine Joy in Ministries. Remember false ministers will have no True Divine Joy. The absence or severe lack of True Divine Joy will tell you they are not places you should be. This does not mean a phony emotionally manufactured joy, but True Divine Joy.

The same can be said for you choice of true friends and associates: not to mention a Marriage Partner! Do not accept mere "feelings", "attraction" or "fleshly chemistry" as anything but pseudo-joy.


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