Skip to main content

Differences between fruits and gifts of the spirit







The Holy Spirit's "gifts" and "fruit" are both discussed in the Bible. Are they the same? If not, how does it differ, and should we prioritise developing one over the other? The Bible's teachings on the gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit might often overlap because both are ultimately given to us by the Spirit of God, but they can also differ. At the most fundamental level, we get gifts from the Spirit; over time, we develop the fruit of the Spirit.

Natural talents are not the same as spiritual gifts. All people, whether or whether they are Christians, were made in the image of God, and as a result, we all possess innate abilities from birth. However, the abilities we are born with are not the same as the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which are described in Romans 12:6–8 and 1 Corinthians 12:4–11, 28. These abilities include prophecy, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, mercy, wisdom, faith, healing, and others.

While talents provide entertainment and inspiration, spiritual gifts strengthen the body of Christ. When a spiritual gift is used, something extraordinary occurs that is just not possible with a talent. But sometimes, when someone is born again, the Holy Spirit takes their innate gift and transforms it into a spiritual gift.

Here is a list of the differences between the fruits and the gifts of the spirit 

1. Nature: The fruit of the Spirit are character qualities, while the gifts of the Spirit are specific abilities.

 2.Focus: The fruit is about who you are becoming (your inner being), whereas the gifts are about what you can do (outward ministry).

3. Manifestation: The fruit is seen in your attitudes and behavior, while the gifts are expressed through specific actions and empowerments.

 4. Universality: All believers are called to cultivate all the fruit of the Spirit. The gifts are diverse, and not every believer receives the same ones.

5.  Development: The fruit develops gradually through spiritual growth and yielding to the Spirit. The gifts are often received at a point in time and can be developed through use.

 6. Purpose: The fruit's purpose is to produce Christlikeness and reflect God's nature. The gifts' purpose is to equip for service and build up the church.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Story of Genesis 37: Joseph’s Dreams and Betrayal

  Genesis 37 marks the beginning of one of the most compelling and dramatic narratives in the Bible—the story of Joseph.  This chapter introduces Joseph as the favored son of Jacob and sets the stage for a series of events that highlight themes of jealousy, betrayal, divine providence, and resilience.Joseph’s Favoritism and DreamsThe chapter opens by noting that Joseph was seventeen years old and that he was favored by his father Jacob above all his other sons because he was born to Jacob in his old age (Genesis 37:2-3). Jacob’s favoritism was symbolized by a richly ornamented robe, often referred to as the "coat of many colors" (Genesis 37:3).  This special treatment caused resentment among Joseph’s brothers, sowing seeds of jealousy and discord.Joseph further exacerbated tensions by sharing his dreams with his family. In his first dream, he described sheaves of grain in the field, where his brothers’ sheaves bowed down to his (Genesis 37:5-7). In the second dream, the s...

The story in exodus 18

  The journey through the wilderness was a test of faith, a series of miraculous provisions and challenging trials. Yet, even as the nation of Israel solidified its identity under God's direct guidance, the practicalities of governance for such a vast multitude became increasingly apparent. Exodus 18 introduces a crucial figure from Moses' personal life and highlights the vital lesson of delegated authority and wise counsel. News of God's mighty acts in Egypt and at the Red Sea had spread far and wide. Jethro, the priest of Midian, Moses' father-in-law, had heard of everything the Lord had done for Moses and for Israel His people, and how the Lord had brought Israel out of Egypt. He took Zipporah, Moses' wife, whom Moses had sent back to him, and her two sons, Gershom ("a sojourner there") and Eliezer ("My God is my help"), and came to Moses in the wilderness, at the mountain of God (Mount Sinai) (Exodus 18:1-5). This reunion was a poignant momen...

The story of Leviticus 6

 As the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness, the Lord gave Moses further detailed instructions about offerings and the responsibilities of the priests. God’s holiness demanded precise care in how offerings were handled, ensuring that His people worshiped Him with reverence and obedience. The Lord said, "The person who brings a burnt offering must keep the fire on the altar burning continuously; it must never go out." This fire symbolized God’s constant presence and the ongoing need for dedication and atonement. God also instructed Moses about the grain offerings: the priests were to take a portion as their own to eat, but they had to do so in a holy place, for these offerings were sacred. When it came to sin offerings, the priests were given specific duties to make atonement for the people. They were to remove the fat of the sin offering and burn it on the altar, while the rest of the meat was to be eaten in a sacred place by the priests only, symbolizing their role a...