Spiritual Gifts & Fruits of the Spirit

Spiritual gifts can often be misunderstood, misguided and misused when there is not a full understanding of what they are, their purpose and primary function in a believer’s life. One needs to understand the difference between Spiritual gifts and Fruits of the Spirit along with what each one represents and signifies in the life of the believer. The next thing to take in to consideration is the controversial subject of the evidence of speaking in tongues amongst the body of Christ. What is speaking in tongues and is it necessary and still valid in the world we live in today?

Spiritual gifts are gifts of God enabling the Christian to perform his or her (sometimes specialized) service. Spiritual gifts are for the edification of the believer, to glorify God and to further God’s purpose in the Kingdom. Every believer receives Spiritual gifts according to the grace measured out to them for their purpose which is made evident in Romans 12:6-8. Every believer is graced with a different purpose, assignment and ministry in their life and God uses spiritual gifts to further each one of these per the individual.

A common spiritual gift that often comes under scrutiny is speaking in tongues. It is and was used as a sign to unbelievers and for purposes of ministry. In Acts 2 when the Holy Spirit was made manifest through the Apostles they began to speak in unknown languages. Acts 2 happened in the market place and there were many different people that spoke different languages there. Upon the Apostles being filled with the Holy Spirit and speaking with the evidence of tongues they were actually speaking the native language of many in the market place and those people marveled and were in awe that these men and women were speaking in their languages but couldn’t before. In this particular context, like many other times, it was a sign and wonder to those who did not believe. Speaking in tongues is not needed to prove that someone is filled with the Holy Spirit but is simply an outward manifestation of the indwelling. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11 shows us that gifts are given to further Kingdom work by God as he sees fit and different gifts are given at different times to different people accordingly.

Considered a revelatory or confirmatory gift unlike teaching and preaching, which are considered edificatory, Charismatics maintain that tongues are still in operation today. On the other hand, many, but not all, non-Charismatics contend that revelatory gifts are not functioning in modern day churches and ceased after the close of the Apostolic Age. The main argument between the two is based on what “perfect” means in 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. Charismatics often interpret it to mean the second coming of Christ whereas non Charismatics believe that it was the maturing of the early church.

Spiritual gifts, although significantly important in each believer’s life, cannot take the place of perfecting and exhibiting the fruits of the Spirit. In Proverbs it states “a man’s gift maketh room for him, and bringeth him before great men” (KJV Proverbs 18:16) Proverbs shows us that gifts will take you far and take you into great places but history has proven that the lack of Spiritual fruit can get you removed from the very places your gifts got you in to. The fruits of the Spirit, or lack thereof, will reveal a believer’s maturity levels, reveal motives and show one has character and integrity. “Ye shall know them by their fruits…..” (KJV Matthew 7:16) Spiritual gifts are outward manifestations but Spiritual fruits are the characteristics of the Holy Spirit found in the life of the believer.

To exhibit the fruits of the Spirit we have to have the Holy Spirit living within us which is considered the baptism of the Holy Spirit. This signifies the indwelling of the Holy Spirit within each believer which happens at the time of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Jesus made it clear in Acts that the baptism of the Holy Spirit would happen “For John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit” (KJV Acts 1:5) That promise is fulfilled in Acts 2:1-4. Spiritual baptism is also upheld in 1 Corinthians 12:13 stating all have been baptized and given the Spirit to drink.

Although there is often controversy over spiritual gifts and they sometimes cause confusion in the body of Christ they are still important today, even speaking in tongues. The gifts further the work of the Kingdom but the most important thing in a believer’s life is the fruits of the Spirit and whether they are at work in their life. The Bible shows us in 1 Corinthians 13:2 that gifts mean nothing when fruit is not evident