What causes joy in a believer?
Joy in a believer is caused by the Holy Spirit indwelling them and by what God has done on their behalf, including eternal life and promises, producing joy from within independent of circumstances. It is not based on outward situations or earthly comforts, but on inner spiritual realities.
Les explains that joy comes from within as a result of the Holy Spirit indwelling the believer and as a result of what God has done on our behalf. Because we have life eternal and the promises of all things God has prepared for us, we have joy unspeakable regardless of what may happen in this life. That is what precipitates real joy. Happiness, by contrast, is the result of circumstances: health, paid bills, money in the bank, a decent car, a nice home. Those things are only circumstantial and have nothing to do with the inner life. So joy is within; whether one has money or is in trial and tribulations, one can still have joy, though not necessarily happiness.