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If joy is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, can the unconverted ever have joy? The answer is YES! God has provided many types of joy, gladness and rejoicing in this mundane life which any or all non-religious people can have. Even people described as “evil” can partake of the wonderful joys of this earthly life.

In the Bible, “joy”, “gladness”, “rejoice”, “be bright”, “shine”, “rejoice”, and “be glad” are all similar meanings and express the joy spoken of in the Scriptures.

The Bible shows that one can have joy in the person they love. Live joyfully with the wife whom you love, we are advised in Eccl. 9:9. People have gladness and joy at weddings where the Bible says a wife brings joy to her husband (Prov.l 5:18). The birth of children and grandchildren and subsequent contact with them bring many joys to converted and unconverted alike (Psa 113:9). As our children grow and conduct themselves wisely it becomes a source of joy to parents. The Bible says, “A wise son makes a glad (joyous) father. See Prov. 10:1.

There can be joy in the accomplishment of work or a hobby. “…there is nothing better, than that a man (person) should rejoice in how own works…”(Ecc. 3:22). For many men and women, their accomplishments - writing books, painting, sculpturing, building, etc, -- are sources of great joy in this life.

Food is a source of joy. There can be joy in eating and drinking. Notice how people seem to feel happy going to dinner or anticipating food. “There is nothing better for a man (person) than that he should eat and drink, and that he should make his soul enjoy good in his labor. This also I saw, that it was from the hand of God” (Ecc. 2:24). A person can rejoice in the good things that s/he accomplishes in this life and the kind acts done: “…but for a (person) to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man (person) should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor, it is the gift of God” (Ecc. 3:12-13).

Various pleasures are some of the joys that help people to forget their troubles for a while (Ecc. 8:15). God gives these joys to humans in this temporary life. “Behold what I have seen: it is good and comely for one to eat and to drink, and to enjoy the good of all his labor that he takes under the sun all the days of his life, which God gives him: for it is his portion. Every man also to whom God has given riches and wealth, and has give him power to eat (partake) thereof, and to take his portion and to rejoice in his labor; this is the gift of God” (Ecc. 8:18-19).

One of the purposes of wine according to the Bible is to cheer people and make glad the heart of man and figuratively God. See Judges 9:13; Psa. 104:15.

A good word spoken or communicated can bring joy. “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad” (Prov. 12:25 NAS). Also a friendly look can cheer up the person and bring joy: “Bright eyes gladden the heart…”(Prov. 15:30 NAS). Do we realize just how easy it is to bring joy to people in this life? It can be done with just a pleasant look or a good word!

There are inner joys that no one else can really understand but the individual experiencing them (Prov. 14:10). And a wise man knows the value of the joys of the heart. “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit dries up the bones” (Prov. 17:22 NAS).

But there is a spiritual joy that transcends all of the above as part 2 will discuss.