I don't believe non believers feel the same joy that we have in Jesus. Their joy is fleeting, ours is forever.

My youngest daughter and I just discussed this. It would seem her husband asked the same type of question. He relies more in Science than God. He believes in God. But, because of the way he was raised, he trust more in Science, and human explanation.

Here's the issue. He wanted to know how you know how we know it's of God.

Sometimes.....it's very obvious....even with "un-saved" people.

But, we have been told to test the spirits.

1 John 4 (NIV)

4 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.

4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood.


We are not to test God. But, the spirits....to make sure they are from God. Because satan tries to copy God, always.

Most "unsaved" people experience happiness. But, it's not from God. It doesn't last. It is fragile. It can go away too easy.

I hope this helps.

very much what Becky Said.

I don't think it's so much joy that makes us different than non-Christians. I think it's the peace we can have during trials.

Oh I see. Interesting. Seems legit, I mean if the Bible says so. I've heard about the antichrist before so that was nothing new. But then why are people so determined to stay with their religion, if their joy in it is so fragile?

@feellinghelpless what do you mean by trials? What kind?

Again, this question came to mind.....On the History channel today, they are giving time for the "Ancient Alien" theorist. You see, for them, this is a way to humanly explain away things that have happened in our past. Yes, to me, their theories are very far reaching. Even to sound ridiculous to me, a Christian. But, then, my belief system sounds ridiculous to them. This is one of the things God gave humans. The freedom of choice. We have the choice to go to our creator.....or, choose an explanation that is acceptable to us. No matter what that choice is. Then, upon making that choice, they make other choices to explain things to make that first choice sound plausible. but, that is a very deep, and personal issue. These are the people we need to pray over. The people we need to talk with about our own beliefs. God may already be at work within them.

I would like to answer that last question you posed to Feeling. I am pretty sure she means those trials we have here on earth. Those "situations" where our faith in the Lord is tested by others.

John 16:33 (NIV)
33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. IN THIS WORLD, YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”


Jesus did not promise things will go smoothly while we Are here, in the world. Just the opposite. He sid, "In this world you will have trouble."

But, He promised, because He overcame the world...so will we.

Thanks, that's a very accurate answer and very inspirational also.
God bless!

I think 1 of the biggest misunderstandings among Christians today is that if you become a Christian everything will be wonderful. This is not heaven yet. Everyone has difficulties (trials). The difference is we have Chriat to help us

That is true though. Perhaps too wonderful to believe? It feels like the wonderful feeling we for example experience during worship, is something that anyone can experience. I then just wonder: do Jews know this? And muslims? You know, the warm feeling that starts in your head and slowly spreads throughout the entire body. Yet, I have only heard Christians speak about this. It is so amazing! It really does feel like rivers flowing through the entire body, as Jesus said.

Some may get an emotional experience, but I doubt it. It seems like especially with Muslims everything is so regulated like when you have to pray and for so long it seems more like an obligation than worship.

True that though! I know many Muslims that attend to Ramadan and stuff like that to show they are ''Muslim''. The rituals and the culture really seems to be the most important aspect of their religion. Christianity isn't much of a religion if you ask me. Christ never obliged us to go to church and to attend to any rituals. All he asks for is to love Him and to love others like you love yourself, plus the His commands of course which can be found in the Bible. Nothing more nothing less.

plus His commands*

That's what's so beautiful about Christianity. It's not a religion; it's a relationship with Jesus.

For me joy in Christ isn't that bubbly kind of exciting happiness but instead joy in Christ for me is peace and it really is a feeling that "passes all understanding".

@feellinghelpless Amen!
@Laraine17 Ohh hmmm that's interesting. I suppose everyone experiences Christ in a different way eh?
Yeh well we had a speaker last Sunday who (I think) has ADHD and this guy was jumping and screaming and he had the tendency to randomly start singing. Yehaaa....... Ehehe. Yeh I guess it is different for everyone although I also sometimes want to jump out of joy... I am far from being that hyped up LOL