Happiness is an emotional high often triggered by a specific experience. On the other hand, Joy is a more profound sense of satisfaction related to something more concrete. In Christianity, joy is rooted in Jesus Christ and the promise of His salvation. In contrast, happiness comes and goes like the wind. Nothing can steal our joy when it resides in God. There’s a reason why David asks in the Psalms for God to “restore the joy of His salvation” (Psalm 51:12). When we are in a state of joy, it fortifies us with knowledge of God’s timeless provisions. 

For example, God often provides us with the “peace that transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7). The joy of the Lord is also our strength, which we can rely on in our times of greatest need (Nehemiah 8:10). God often rewards those who are good in His sight with knowledge, wisdom, and joy (Ecclesiastes 2:26). When we are immersed in God’s will, consistently experiencing His joy, it’s typically difficult for the devil to snare us with sin. In my experience, I am susceptible to sin when I am not focused on Jesus Christ. Triggers such as tiredness, loneliness, anger, hunger, and stress may open the door to sinful behavior. However, even with the presence of some of these, if we are joyful in the Lord’s will, we may still not be shaken. On the flip side, if we don’t pray consistently (1 Thessalonians 5:17), armor up (Ephesians 6:10-20), and rely on the joy of the Lord to sustain us, it’s only a matter of time before the allures of the flesh become more appealing.

Pursuing happiness in worldly passions is a never-ending treadmill. The eyes are never satisfied with seeing, the ears with hearing, nor the mouth with eating (Proverbs 27:20). The insatiable appetite of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life are all a bottomless pit that can deceive even the most faithful if we become complacent (1 John 2:16). The solution is to find joy in the Lord and faithfully trust Him to satisfy all your needs, so you don’t fall victim to inferior, fleeting pleasures and distractions. When we starve the flesh and feed the spirit, we position ourselves to appreciate God’s peace, joy, and comfort far more than anything else this world has to offer. 

Of course, there are legitimate forms of happiness that can present themselves in life, but even these have the potential to become a threat if we prize them too highly. Therefore, it’s essential to keep our priorities in order. Always seek God and His righteousness first. Surely everything else will fall into order when we do (Matthew 6:33). When our prayer and Bible reading time revolves around spending quiet time with God and learning about His Word, we will be on guard against the schemes of the adversary. Thirsting for righteousness in such a way is an excellent barrier to any temptations that may arise. We ought to also take comfort that our brothers and sisters across the globe face similar battles alongside us (1 Peter 5:8-9). No matter how hard it may seem, Jesus Christ has experienced them to a degree we cannot fathom and helps us in our distress. After all, He is our High Priest Who sympathizes perfectly to being tempted in every way as we were, yet remains victorious without sin (Hebrews 4:14-16).

There are moments of happiness we can cherish without worry. As long as it doesn’t become a form of idolatry or distract us from the things that matter most, I don’t see any problem. However, if we give way to pleasure or satisfaction that is sinful by nature, we tend to desensitize and grow numb to the consequences. Furthermore, our hearts can become hardened and our consciences seared if we’re not careful. On the other hand, when we enjoy pleasure according to God’s design, we can delight in it guilt-free without concern of earthly or eternal consequences. For instance, God designed sex for a man and a woman to enjoy in marriage. When we do it His way and wait for matrimony, there will be blessings tied to that level of obedience. Whereas if we compromise and commit adultery or fornication, there are consequences for disobedience. Yes, God can forgive us and empower us to repent from sin, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t consequences for such decisions. Thank God that there is no need to worry about the past, however, as there is no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:1). 

As you can see, there are many potential pitfalls and blessings of happiness in life. While joy found in God truly has no penalty and is a God-given gift. We cannot generate lasting satisfaction alone. We must rely on God to acquire it. It is something we can continually experience in fellowship with Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. Such fellowship is a supernatural blessing. Is there anything more comforting than to know that God is there for us and willingly offers this gift to all His children that seek it in Him? We shouldn’t allow sin to get in the way and form a barrier in our communication with Jesus Christ. If we immerse ourselves in habitual sin, we cannot simultaneously experience God’s joy at its peak anymore, if at all. Of course, by God’s grace, we can repent, seek forgiveness, and obtain it once again. Otherwise, none of us would be able to establish intimacy with God after we stumble in sin. However, next time you feel tempted to compromise, keep in mind a few of these things:

• The allure of sin at its inception is much more appealing than the result.
• Sin promises to provide much more than it ever provides.
• The rewards for staying faithful may not always feel obvious but are incomparably superior.
• Every single battle over sin is worth winning, even when they seem inconsequential.
• Jesus Christ is victorious over sin and death, so we have the authority through Him to resist and walk in that freedom rather than slavery to sin.

Often, when I don’t rush my feet into evil and, at the bare minimum, delay my sinful appetite, I notice that the desire fades away into obscurity (1 Peter 5:10). This reality is why we ought to stand firm. It’s only a matter of time before God offers you a way of escape or otherwise empowers you to resist until the temptation subsides (1 Corinthians 10:13). Joy in the Lord is one of the greatest weapons in stopping this kind of threat in its tracks. Don’t settle for the counterfeit pleasure when you can experience the joy of God both on earth and throughout eternity. Ask God to help you by praying the following prayer or something similar amid temptation:

“Dear God, 

I want to store up Heavenly treasures over worldly pleasures and desires. Please find it in your heart to help me avoid succumbing to the desires of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and the pride of life? I submit to your sovereignty and surrender my sin at your feet. Please deliver me from evil and help me cling to what is good in your sight so that I may delight You.

In Jesus Christ’s precious, holy, and mighty name, I pray. Amen!”