Fruit of the Spirit vs Gifts of the Spirit: What You Need to Know
As believers, we are called to grow in our faith and walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. In this journey, two important aspects of spiritual life often come up — the fruit of the Spirit vs the gifts of the Spirit. Both play a significant role in shaping our relationship with God and how we interact with others.
However, understanding how they function in our lives helps us develop a deeper, more effective walk with God. Let’s explore their purpose and how we can grow in both.
Fruit of the Spirit vs Gifts of the Spirit: What's the Difference?
The fruit of the Spirit refers to the godly characteristics that develop in a believer’s life through the work of the Holy Spirit. These qualities shape our actions, attitudes, and interactions with others.
On the other hand, the gifts of the Spirit are supernatural abilities given by God to empower believers for ministry, strengthening the church and spreading the Gospel.
While spiritual gifts equip us for service, spiritual fruit shows our spiritual maturity.
What are the Fruits of the Spirit?
Biblical discussion on the fruit of the Spirit is found in Galatians 5:22-23 and this passage describes the characteristics that should be evident in every believer’s life, including:
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
As followers of Christ, our lives should be a reflection of his nature. Jesus discussed, on several occasions, the importance of bearing fruit in our lives:
“By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. ”
How to Ensure We're Bearing Good Fruit
Jesus taught in John 15:5 that he is the vine and we are the branches. He then stated, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”
Abiding in Jesus means staying connected to him through prayer, studying his Word, and living in obedience to his teachings. When we remain in Jesus, his Spirit works in us, producing fruit that reflects his righteousness and love.
What are the Gifts of the Spirit?
“Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy. ”
The gifts of the Spirit are divine empowerments given to believers for the purpose of building up the body of Christ. These gifts are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and include:
Word of wisdom
Word of knowledge
Faith
Gifts of healing
Working of miracles
Prophecy
Distinguishing between spirits
Various kinds of tongues
Interpretation of tongues
The Bible encourages believers to seek and use spiritual gifts. These gifts are given to serve others and glorify God, ensuring that his power is displayed among believers.
How to Determine Spiritual Gifts
If you’re wondering how to determine your spiritual gifts:
Start with prayer, asking God to reveal his purpose for you.
Seek the counsel of spiritually mature believers who can help identify your strengths
Study scripture to understand the different gifts and how they operate.
As you serve in various ways, you may discover where God has uniquely gifted you.
The Bottom Line
Both the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit are essential in every believer’s life. While fruit reflects Christ’s character within us, the gifts of the Spirit equip us to serve and strengthen the church.
By abiding in Christ and seeking his will for each of us, we can grow in both spiritual fruit and spiritual gifts, fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives.