Being Miserable Is Not A Fruit Of The Spirit

Thursday, August 27, 2026

In the Middle Ages, a religious sect, called the Flagellants, would walk through the streets whipping themselves. They believed that beating themselves made them more spiritual, and that being miserable equated holiness. Thus, they aimed to achieve a greater state of misery. We don't see people today whipping themselves. However, this belief still exists, but it's a lot more subtle. Many people believe that holiness is a constant state of somberness and misery; that the holiest existence is to put on sackcloth and ashes and put away every possible joy in life. There are, of course times, of weeping and mourning. But being miserable is not a fruit of the Spirit. A fruit of the Spirit is joy. Joy is of the Lord. Joy is the nature of righteousness, and joy is the only appropriate response to the Gospel. Joy in the Lord is not only allowable; it's holy. The more joy of the Lord you have in your life, the holier you'll be. Start a new path of holiness today: the path of joy. Rejoice in the Lord, because joy is holy.

From Message #854 The New Covenant Joy Secrets