Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: SMILE (08/13/20)
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TITLE: Garment of Joy | Previous Challenge Entry
By marci benoit
08/19/20 -
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As believers, our primary mission is to love all people as God loves us. When we are obedient to the only commandment Jesus gave the New Testament church, we will exhibit the fruits of the Spirit.
Paul lists the fruits in Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Evidence of joy is a smile. According to Observer Magazine, “1Other muscles can simulate a smile, but only the peculiar tango of the zygomatic major and the orbicularis oculi produces a genuine expression of positive emotion. Psychologists call this the “Duchenne smile,” and most consider it the sole indicator of true enjoyment.”
The corners of the eye squeeze together into the shape of a crow’s foot when smiling Duchenne style. Smiles derived from other emotions barely include any eye involvement at all.
If joy is a fruit of the Spirit and evidence of joy is a smile, then according to scripture we should have plenty of joy and smiles.
When Peter speaks of what our joy should be, it is clear, that this joy is immense. 1 Peter 1:8 (KJV) 8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
Also another familiar scripture about joy, Nehemiah 8:10 (KJV)
10 Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.
Our smiles should distinguish us from non-believers. We can smile when we are waiting in a line at the grocery store that is moving too slow. We can smile during disaster clean up. We can smile at a wake and spread our joy. The great thing about the Duchenne smile is that it is contagious. It is the smile that most times is reciprocated. Joy is contagious.
Have you ever witnessed a believer who was baptized in lemon juice? That’s what we would say about Christians who never smiled and tended to gripe a lot. That type of person will make you question the authenticity of their relationship with our Lord. Someone who walks with Jesus is someone who is easy to get along with and pleasant to be around. A smile is part of their wardrobe.
Think of a beloved grandmother or grandfather. When the grandparent sees their grandchild, their arms open up, they move toward and lower themselves to meet the child and the smile of the approaching elder is unmistakable. At this moment, the child knows within himself that the grandparent holding them is gentle, peaceful, loving, and patient toward them.
The fruits of the Spirit operate together. It is hard to find one by itself. A mature believer is continually demonstrating fruit production. The joy of the Lord is going to accompany the other fruits. Therefore, we know that the believer’s wardrobe has to include a smile.
Even in today’s masked environment, the mask cannot hide the Duchenne smile or Joy of the Lord. The eyes will pinch together with the cheeks raising and the light of love will release from the eyes.
Put on your garment of joy everyday and show your smile!
1Eric Jaffe, (December 2010) The Psychological Study of Smiling Observer Magazine, APS
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