Our pastor concluded a teaching series on spiritual warfare this past Sunday with a sermon titled, A Battle for Joy.  Now honestly, I’m sure I would not have thought to put “Joy” into a teaching about the battles that rage in the spiritual realm; however, my thinking has certainly changed in that regard!

I understand war to be conflict between two or more opposing countries, factions, or realms.  That being the case, the kingdom of the enemy and this world are at war with the kingdom of our God.  Of course, our sovereign God wins, and we step into that victory when we come to the cross and accept Jesus as our victor.  “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith” (1 John 5:4).

Paul gives us some insight into the kingdom of God—not physical characteristics; instead, spiritual:  “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17).

I’m am pretty sure that most Spirit-filled, Bible-believing Christians would agree with me that righteousness, God’s righteous ways, are constantly being attacked in the world today.  Satan began attacking that aspect of God in Eden when he questioned, “did God really say that?” insinuating that God was not righteous in His dealings with mankind.

Isaiah writes, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light and light for darkness; who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”  (Isaiah 5:20)—confrontations with God’s kingdom exist when righteousness is attacked, and misaligning good and evil is a direct assault

The enemy, who comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10), also targets our peace.  Again, if you have any doubts about that, check the headlines!  However, we have the words of Jesus to ensure peace, because as long as we are in this world, tribulation will be our companion—the good news is that Jesus overcame the world! (John 16:33)  He give us peace; the God of peace gives us peace through our Savior.

Joy is one of those over-familiar words which is easy to over spiritualize without realizing that it is an integral part of God’s kingdom.  I have heard it given somber significance apart from happiness, but the dictionary describes joy as “the emotion of great delight or happiness caused by something exceptionally good or satisfying; keen pleasure; elation.”  If our faith isn’t the source of exuberance in our lives then we may want to consider the possibility what we are calling “Christianity” has degenerated into a duty, an obligation, or a dead religion.

We must recognize that our submission to God’s sovereignty and kingdom authority are constantly under attack; therefore, it is wise to acknowledge the threats assailing our ability to live joyfully.  I honestly do not like it when joy becomes so spiritualized and sterilized that the element of happiness is removed from it—we have just so very much to be happy about!

Here are some obstacles I have found to living in the fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11):

We can’t escape the presence of God—He is everywhere!  But we can be absent from His joy when we aren’t trusting Him or His ability to work all things together for our good.

Sorrow and disappointments often steal our joy if we do not follow the difficult process of trials to their best conclusion:  “…we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.  Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:3-5).

Sometimes circumstances that we have no ability to control create frustration, and joy flees when we allow annoyances to drive a stake into our hearts.  I think a lot of my frustration comes from thinking too highly of my opinions, and myself.  The best attitude to have is that of our Savior, who “made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant…” (Philippians 2:7).  I can assure you, it requires much repentance and willingness to change the way I think and the way I talk, to walk away from the frustration born of pride and selfishness, and towards the attitude of our servant Savior!

There is no place for bitterness (a faithless, harsh and disagreeable attitude) when joy and peace stand hand in hand—“Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord:  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble” (Hebrews 12:14, 15).

There is no true joy without God’s forgiveness, yet if we are unwilling to forgive others, forgiveness from our heavenly Father will be elusive.  How can any one person hurt or offend us more than we have offended God?—yet he freely offers forgiveness to all who ask for it—“To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against Him” (Daniel 9:9).  We have forgiveness through His redeeming blood, and by that, peace with God; however, “if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.  But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses” (Matthew 6:14, 15).

Feeling condemned is an intense emotion and one that effectively keeps many people away from the steadfast love and faithfulness of God.  Religious systems often propagate guilt and condemnation; however, those who are in Christ Jesus, who have received forgiveness for their sins and walk according to the Spirit, have their guilt removed and are no longer condemned (Romans 8:1).  What a source of unspeakable joy!

Fear erects barricades against joy; however, “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).

I am sure there are other common and personally designed strategies satan uses against God’s people to steal away their joy; I think it is a good idea to identify our areas of weakness and stay alert to the schemes of the enemy.  Maintaining joy is critical in warfare though; and the one whose intent is to destroy, targets our joy.

“Do not sorrow for the joy of the Lord is your strength!” (Nehemiah 8:10).  The enemy does not want strong Christians; rather, he seeks to defeat us—so when we choose to maintain joy in the midst of the tribulations of life, he loses!

…and how do we fight the battle for joy?  Be filled with the Holy Spirit, for “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22); by taking up the shield of faith and arming ourselves with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

“Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).