Cultivating Character, Releasing Power: The Spirit’s Fruit and Gifts in Harmony

The gifts of the Spirit are an exciting part of the infilling of the Holy Spirit. The gifts, sich as prophecy, speaking in tongues, and gifts of healing are all tools that we use to minister the love and goodness of God to those in need. But even more important is the foundation—the fruit of the Spirit. In Matthew 7:20-23, Jesus said, 

20 Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

True and False Disciples

21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.22 Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ 23 Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

We can do all the “cool things” that are expected of a Spirit-filled life, but without the fruit of righteousness and of love, we are just “clanging cymbals” (1 Corinthians 13:1). 

Why is Being Filled With the Spirit Important? 

Being filled with the Holy Spirit is not just for speaking in tongues. That may be the initial physical evidence, but being filled is not just a one-time deal. We are not only to receive the Spirit through one experience, but through many fillings of His power. These “refillings” not only bring about our empowerment for the work of the ministry, but also bring us into maturity as believers. 

The Holy Spirit also prepares us for confrontation with evil. When we rely on Him, we can withstand every attack of the enemy. We do not need to live in fear over these attacks, because we know where our strength and power comes from as we engage in spiritual warfare. 

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

“12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

Developing the Fruit of the Spirit

The fruit of the Spirit contrasts the “works of the flesh and the sinful nature” as spoken about in Galatians 5, just a few verses previous to those that discuss the fruit of the Spirit. The fruits of the Spirit offer us a gauge in how we are becoming more like Jesus. Do we respond in love? Are we patient and kind? 

Galatians 5:22-23 NIV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Growing in the Gifts of the Spirit

There are nine gifts that the Spirit gives detailed in 1 Corinthians 12: 

8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

It is important to note that all of these are gifts given by the same Spirit. God is the one who gives us these gifts, and they are for helping us as we do the work of the ministry! They are for building up the Body of Christ, that is, the Church. This is about people, and bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is not about showing off or having others admire us for the “cool things” we get to do for God. We must always stay in a position of humility, and ensure our motives are correct.

These gifts are available to every believer, not just a special few. We are all called to do the work of the ministry, as it talks about Ephesians: 

Ephesians 4:11-13 NIV

11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 

The gifts of the Spirit are to be shared. It is true, we are to be using the gifts for personal growth and strength, but they are also to be for the benefit and building up for the body of believers.