Divine Insights: Beyond temporary pleasures: Finding true joy in Christ

When was the last time you had a good laugh, and when was the last time you just took time to induce joy in your own life?

Comedy is medicinal because the Bible even says, "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up bones."

When was the last time you had a good laugh, and when was the last time you just took time to induce joy in your own life? Some, in an attempt to have fun, bind themselves to drugs and even alcohol.

But, though drugs can induce some joy, those that are bound to them are temporarily numbed from life, but are woken up to sober reality after the drug's effects wear off.

But do you know there is a joy that is as intoxicating, but does not wear off, found in Christ? But for us to understand the joy found in Christ, let's first define joy. What is joy? The Oxford dictionary says, “Joy is a great feeling of pleasure and happiness.”

Merriam Webster Dictionary defines joy as “the emotion evoked by well-being, success, good fortune, or by the prospect of possessing what one desires.” From the Bible, we deduce that joy is a mindset, a state of one's heart that brings contentment, confidence, as well as hope.

The challenge with joy induced through drugs is that it comes with a price; many have lost even themselves. Anything we do in Christ causes us to discover ourselves and our purpose.

The joy induced by drugs is temporal because it is not coming from within (the heart or mind) but just provoked by external forces. A drug can induce ecstasy, but once it's no longer in your body and you are no longer in a state of ecstasy, that joy becomes depression. Many who are alcoholics are depressed, and the bottle has become a handicap.

The joy that comes from God's Spirit and His word is permanent. The Bible speaks about how in the presence of God, there is fullness of joy and at His right hand, pleasures forevermore. Joy comes from God, and without God, man cannot have true joy.

Yet, man seems not to gravitate towards God's kind of joy, which produces a godly life. Because religion has made Christianity unattractive, many run away from the chains of religion, assuming there is no joy to be found in God and assume it's not as attractive as worldly joy derived from drugs and ungodly entertainment.

A person can laugh and yet be going through pain, and it is almost difficult to see through this facade because it is well hidden in the emotions of worldly joy, which is temporary. When the induced joy leaves, the peace it brought is lost immediately. One can laugh and be at peace for that moment. But when it is joy that comes from God's word, it changes your mind and produces in you the mindset needed for you to prosper . The joy of God carries the potential to change any situation.

It is time to rise above worldly joy and seek godly joy that can bring a shift in our nation, families, and church. It is good to laugh, but laughter alone without God's Spirit is part of the enemy's strategies to keep a person in bondage. Seek that joy that springs from God's Spirit, and it's only that kind of joy that can produce the life God desires for you. It is time to seek godly joy. Refuse worldly joy that is only temporarily induced by drugs and go for that kind of joy which flows from God's presence. God bless you.

  • Humphrey Mtandwa is an apostolic teacher of the word of God and founder of Believers Voice of Triumph Ministries. He has authored many books, including The Enoch Generation, Truthfulness, Night Parables and Theophany. If you want to connect with him or have any questions, get in touch on www.apostlehumphrey.com

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