Just as spiritual joy should not be confused with love, neither should natural joy. In both cases, love and joy are genuinely distinct experiences. But beyond that shared distinction, there is another important point: spiritual (or gracious) joy differs from natural joy in several key ways. Exploring those differences will help shed more light on the nature of true spiritual experience.
1. Different Sources
To begin with, natural joy and spiritual joy come from very different sources.
Natural joy — often called “the joy of the world” — arises from ordinary, worldly causes. It grows out of things like good health, material comfort, property, social standing, and physical pleasure. In short, it is the kind of joy a person could experience even if they had no awareness of God and no knowledge of the life of faith at all.
Spiritual joy, on the other hand, has a spiritual origin. It comes from the experience of spiritual realities, from faithfully practicing religious disciplines, and from the inward influence of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, Scripture sometimes refers to it as “the joy of the Holy Spirit.”
2. Effects on the Body and Mind
Second, natural joy — when it arises purely from natural impulses and is not guided or informed by spiritual influence — often has a strong effect on the body. At times, true spiritual joy can also have noticeable physical effects, especially when it follows a period of deep emotional suffering or mental distress. In some situations, powerful physical reactions may result from a mixture of natural emotion and genuine spiritual experience.
Even so, when we consider spiritual joy in itself, apart from unusual circumstances, its natural tendency is very different. Unlike mere natural joy, spiritual joy has a remarkably calming effect. It brings peace to the mind, and through the mind, promotes balance and steadiness in the body. Rather than overstimulating us, it encourages inner order and emotional soundness.
3. Clarity of Judgment
For example, someone who is overwhelmed by anger, jealousy, or fear will struggle to work through a demanding line of reasoning. The same thing happens when someone is strongly stirred by natural pleasure or excitement.
True spiritual joy, however — when it is not disturbed by physical weakness or mixed with natural excitement — leaves the mind calm and clear. Rather than confusing the intellect, it sharpens perception and strengthens discernment.
This is how how we would imagine it is with those who are holy. Certainly they experience deep joy, yet we never picture them as mentally clouded or intellectually impaired by emotion. Natural feelings often surge beyond control and slip into excess, but genuinely spiritual emotions — those inspired by the Holy Spirit — do not.
This may help explain the passage in Luke 24:41, which says the disciples “believed not for joy.” Their confusion likely arose from an intense blend of natural excitement combined with holy emotion, rather than from spiritual joy alone.
4. Moral Tone and Seriousness
Natural joy is often accompanied by certain negative side effects that do not belong to spiritual joy. It can lead to excessive cheerfulness, a careless lightness of spirit, or an impulsive, almost childish levity — attitudes that may be inappropriate to one’s age, responsibilities, or circumstances. George Fox once described this condition vividly as “being up in the airy mind.”
Spiritual joy, by contrast — when it is not distorted by natural excitement — is thoughtful, steady, and deeply serious. It reflects discernment and wisdom. If natural joy intrudes upon a spiritual experience, it may at times color outward behavior in ways that resemble that flighty or overly animated spirit. But when this happens, those effects do not arise from the true work of the Holy Spirit.
Sanctified joy always carries with it a seriousness fitting to the truths and responsibilities of faith. It remains appropriate to the situation and leaves the soul settled and composed. In this sense, it resembles the character of God himself — always joyful, yet always perfectly calm and unchanging.
This kind of joy is often described in Scripture as peace. It is likely what Christ meant when he said to his disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you.” Such joy can be profound — even “unspeakable and full of glory” — yet it is never chaotic or intoxicating. It never overwhelms the soul in a way that obscures God’s will or clouds moral clarity.
Lasting Versus Temporary Joy
Even in hardship and suffering, the foundation of a deep, quiet joy remains intact beneath the surface.
Natural joy, however, depends on worldly objects that are fragile, unpredictable, and imperfect. As a result, this joy itself is just as uncertain. Scripture captures this contrast in the parable of the seed on the rock — those who receive the word with joy yet have no deep root. Their joy flares quickly but does not last, and when trials come, it fades away.
Spiritual joy is like the sun, shining steadily even when hidden by clouds. Natural joy is more like a meteor — bright for a moment, then gone; flaring again briefly, but always destined to fade.
Conclusion
In light of these distinctions, it becomes clear that spiritual joy is a deeply valuable Christian grace. Blessed indeed is the person who experiences what Scripture calls “joy in the Holy Spirit.”
It is true that joy follows love and ranks below it in importance. Love must come first as the guiding and dominant principle of the soul. Yet within its proper place, spiritual joy is one of God’s precious gifts.
This is why Scripture repeatedly calls believers to rejoice:
- “Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous.”
- “Rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings.”
- “That my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.”
- “Rejoice evermore… for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
Such joy is calm, enduring, and holy — rooted not in changing circumstances, but in an unchanging God.
An Illustration Drawn from a Personal Experience
What follows comes from the lived experience of a devoted member of the Baptist church who died long ago. As you read, you’ll see a clear example of a tendency many people share: the desire to seek intense feelings of joy — sometimes to their own harm.
I believe God helped me, thoughtfully and without reservation, to place my whole life in Christ’s hands — not just in anticipation of sickness or death, but while healthy and living fully. I committed myself completely, resolved that no matter my circumstances, “holiness to the Lord” would guide everything from that point forward. I was able to offer myself willingly to God’s sanctifying grace, trusting that God would work within me according to God's own good purpose.
Before long, a deep calm settled over my mind. I felt surrounded by an awareness of God’s glory, and my soul rested in a quiet harmony with God's holiness. There was nothing dramatic or emotionally overwhelming about it — no rush of excitement — but there was something steady and profound:
“The sacred awe that dares not move,
And all the silent heaven of love.”
Loving God with all my heart, and loving my neighbor as myself, no longer felt like a heavy demand — it felt natural. I became especially sensitive in my conscience and feared only one thing: causing offense to my Savior.
Because my body was still weak, I couldn’t handle intense mental strain. And since this change in my feelings had come gently rather than suddenly or powerfully, I soon began to question whether I had really found what I had been seeking. I prayed earnestly for unmistakable joy and clear evidence — something more conclusive. Yet the more I chased that assurance, the more distant it seemed. Eventually, I reached the point where I was content to leave everything with God, willing to accept either a crumb or a full meal — whatever God chose to give.
That surrender brought my peace back. Thank God, it has stayed with me ever since, flowing like a river that keeps widening and deepening. Never before had I been so aware of how completely I depend on God’s all-sufficient grace — or so confident that it would meet me in every moment of need.
I began to approach the Bible with the trust of a small child, simply looking to be taught. And oh, the glory I found there! A new kind of blessedness emerged as I received Christ not just as a Savior from sin in general, but as a present, complete Savior — from all sin. For someone who had lived most of her life feeling bound in one way or another, this realization was overwhelming. I can truly say now that the Holy Spirit has led me into the truth — and that the truth has set me free.
I no longer feel like a traveler without a home. I feel like a child who has finally come home. My tired soul rests in Christ, discovering that His “yoke is easy” and His “burden is light.” With full confidence, I now place every part of my life — both earthly and spiritual — into His care, knowing it is secure there.
More than anything, I desire to know and do the will of my Heavenly Father, and to grow into the very mind of Christ. My heart is deeply invested in the progress of holiness, and with sincerity and joy, I wholeheartedly wish God’s blessing on all who are working to advance this beautiful and sacred way of life.
This is a revision of Part 1, Chapter 15 of Thomas C. Upham's book The Interior or Hidden Life (2nd edition 1844), written with the assistance of Microslop CoPilot. The original chapter can be found here: On the distinction between natural and spiritual Joy.
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