OUTLINE:

Gal 5:25
“If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”

A. W. Pink on Biblical Joy
A word now on the nature of this joy. That is the more necessary since not a few are apt to naturalize and carnalize the same, regarding it as a mere spirit of elation or happy feeling of exhilaration.

A. W. Pink on Biblical Joy
Instead, it is a heavenly grace, a fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22), and therefore something spiritual, supernatural, and Divine. God is alike its Author, Object and Maintainer.

A. W. Pink on Biblical Joy
As the peace which He gives “passeth all understanding” (Phi 4:7), so the joy He communicates is said to be “unspeakable” (1Pe 1:8)—not only excelling sense, but beyond full comprehension. It is an elevation of soul after the Lord and of things above.

A. W. Pink on Biblical Joy
It is a delighting ourselves in God, for since all happiness be the enjoyment of the chief good, then all felicity is bound up in Him. Joy is heaven begun in the saint, for his blessedness here and hereafter differs not in kind but only in degree.

A. W. Pink on Biblical Joy
It is therefore a joy which is pure and unalloyed. As spiritual love is far more than a sentiment, as God’s peace is more excellent than mere placidity or tranquility of mind, so the joy which Christ imparts to the believer is vastly superior to any natural emotion.

A. W. Pink on Biblical Joy
It is a state of exultation, a complacence of heart, a full satisfaction of soul as it feasts upon a perfect Object.

Glory Be To God!
God is glorified when we reap the fruit of the spirit (e.g., love, joy, peace... - Gal 5:22-23). (cp. Jn 13:35)

Preoccupation
Whatever we are in love with, we will be preoccupied with.

Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth...
Col 3:17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.

Balance Statement
“It’s about direction, not perfection.” - John MacArthur

What Is Misery’s Root?
God will ordain misery, but He does not desire it for His children (ultimately speaking). Misery is fruit of human flesh. You may be, in general, miserable, but the root cause is often one or two specific areas of sin you persist, knowingly in.

DISOBEDIENCE.

Jas 4:8
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

“Keep Your Chin Up”
Stop and ask: “For what reason?”
…to look up to Heaven, awaiting the Lord’s return…
…or, to supposedly “survive” your own self-induced misery?

Jas 4:17
Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.

Perspective
The Lord never says to us, "Feel free to pass through the depths of sinful behavior to find my joy." In fact, He says just the opposite, "Do not be DECEIVED!" (Gal 6:7).

Perspective
Think of your body/life as an instrument that God desires to use to HIS glory (ala Ro 12:1).

Jas 4:9 [TLB]
Let there be tears for the wrong things you have done. Let there be sorrow and sincere grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.

Worship Time
Church should be a much smaller percentage of your overall worship time for the week. If church is the mainstay of your worship, something’s awry.

Good Choices
Find quiet time to dwell with God, even if you rise before dark, to just BE with Him, ALONE.

Misdirection
This is the very lifeline of the deceitfulness of sin. It was first made evident in the Garden with the words, “Has God said…?” To misdirect is to disorient to what is otherwise stable, secure, assured.

Flee From Distractions
The cure for distraction (aka "spiritual ADHD") is surrender. God essentially has said, "You just need to submit to MY means of salvation/deliverance and I’ll take care of the rest!”