The Fruit of the Spirit is Joy: The Joyful Pastor

One of the most famous statements on joy in Scripture is this: “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).

Following the return from exile and the rebuilding of the city wall of Jerusalem, Nehemiah, the governor of Judea, lodges this affirmation about joy at the solemn occasion of Ezra, the priest and scribe reading the Scriptures to the people of Israel. They had not heard the word of God for many years.

So Ezra and the Levites “read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading” (Neh. 8:8). At this, the people weep, overcome with grief for their rebelliousness and disobedience.

Yet Nehemiah encourages the people, telling them that this is not a time for grief but joy because God is gracious to forgive and restore. And so, in humble yet happy contrition, “all the people went their way to eat and drink and … to make great rejoicing, because they had understood the words that were declared to them” (Neh. 8:12).

Extend Grace and Instill Joy

Pastors, the joy of the Lord is your strength!

Rejoice in preaching God’s word and the restoration He has promised. Rejoice that you understand the words of Scripture and have the privilege to teach them to others. Unlike the Pharisees, whom Jesus denounced for tying up “heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay[ing] them on people’s shoulders” while they themselves were “not willing to move them with their finger” (Matt. 23:4) invite all who are weary and distressed to come to Jesus. As they take his yoke upon them and learn from him, they will find rest for their souls, for he is gentle and lowly in heart (Matt. 11:28–29). Extend grace!

I’ve had the privilege of sitting under several pastors who have made it a point to inspire their people, be positive, and encourage them in their words and instructions. They knew that when people come to church, many need a strong dose of encouragement. Life in this sinful, evil world is difficult, even overwhelming, at times. Since God is exceedingly gracious, we can extend grace to our people and instill genuine, Spirit-induced joy. When people genuinely repent after sinning, they have an advocate in Jesus (1 John 2:2). He will forgive and cleanse them from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Grace and joy are integrally connected!

Joy Independent of Circumstances

Our trust is ultimately in the Lord. Because God is utterly dependable, and our salvation is secure in Christ, we can have abiding joy regardless of our circumstances. The apostle Paul epitomizes such joy when writing to the church at Philippi from a Roman prison cell. He writes that he has learned to be content in every circumstance and can do all things through Christ who strengthens him (Phil. 4:12–14). Repeatedly, the apostle urges the believers at Philippi to follow his example and to rejoice in the Lord (Phil. 3:1; 4:4). In fact, he exhorts them to rejoice always!

Paul can urge continual joy because such a heartfelt disposition is not contingent upon whether things go well but is grounded in one’s relationship with the Lord, who is always faithful and who never changes. Similarly, James can write, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (Jas. 1:2–3), adding, “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jas. 1:4). Once our faith in the Lord has been tested and strengthened, we can exhibit joy even when we don’t enjoy success by human standards.

Joy a Work of the Spirit

With this, I’ve come to the most important biblical truth about joy. It is this: The sovereign work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts brings true joy! “The fruit of the Spirit is … joy” (Gal. 5:22). So let the Spirit do his work in you—the work that he alone can accomplish—and lead others into a Spirit-filled, joyous life. We all get weighed down by the pressures and burdens of leadership and life in general. And yet, the Holy Spirit can create a deep, abiding joy in us. A cheerful heart amid adversity cannot be manufactured or self-produced. Acting like we’re joyful when we are not is hypocritical. Rather, as the sage Preacher remarked, there is “a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3:4).

Given the inevitable struggles everyone will face, encourage your congregation to keep things in perspective. Of all people, Christians have so much to rejoice in. God has reconciled us to Himself and assures us of spending eternity in His presence. We already have the Holy Spirit indwelling our hearts as a foretaste of intimate communion with God. God has adopted us into His family, along with many brothers and sisters in Christ. In our trials, we can look to Jesus, who went before us and endured great hostility from sinners (Heb. 12:3). And, with the psalmist, we can rejoice in the fact that “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me” (Ps. 23:4).

Pastoral Implications

Pastors, encourage the people in your congregation with these words. The joy of the Lord is your strength!

Extend grace and cultivate joy. Exhibit cheerfulness independent of circumstances. Remind your congregation that joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, and encourage them with your own cheerful disposition.

Model joy!

As one who rejoices in hope and is patient in tribulation and constant in prayer (Rom. 12:12), “rejoice with those who rejoice” and “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15).

May joy be the overriding tenor in your life and ministry. Rejoice!

©2024 Andreas Köstenberger. Used with permission.