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Gifts and Fruit
February 10, 2024

I recently had to replace a computer and opted to have it delivered to the store for pickup, because the last thing I would want is a porch pirate to somehow sneak off with the computer if it was delivered to the house. I received updates from the store and even had the expected pickup date moved up by an entire week, which I really liked. And then on the date of pickup, I received no notice that my order was ready for pickup. Later in the afternoon I received an email that my order may be delayed, and by the time the store closed in the evening, I pretty much figured out that may be delayed became will be delayed.

For whatever reason, that made me think of the parable where the servants accused the master of delaying his coming, but it also caused me to contact customer service, because I had no idea how long my order would be delayed. Would it be delayed a short time or a very long time? I had been able to use my laptop, but I don’t prefer to work off it for longer periods of time because of the smaller screen size. Knowing when I could expect that order was important for me and I needed something more than not now. Customer service was able to update the information for me. My order had been weather delayed and I would receive my new computer the next day.

If only prophecy were as easy as contacting a customer service line for God to find out the very latest on when we could expect certain prophetic events to occur. Many people study prophecy and having this kind of information would be very useful, but if understanding prophecy was just a matter of calling God’s customer service number to get all the details, there wouldn’t be much of a need for faith for prophecy. Instead of developing a relationship with God, our interaction with God would be more transactional, like when I ordered the computer; something like I order the computer and give you payment and you have it delivered as agreed.

Instead of the quid pro quo transactional interaction with God, we have a relationship based in faith even when it comes to prophecy. As it turns out with the store where I ordered my computer, their delivery dates turned out to be a prophetic bust, up until the very end when they absolutely nailed it. Just like those delivery dates that didn’t pan out, sometimes prophecy doesn’t play out as we expect it to, and when we look at what is to happen, it is like we are looking through a dark glass. That’s one of the reasons why Paul wrote the Corinthians and told them that prophecies can fail just like knowledge can fade away. Think of the pyramids of Egypt and all the theories of how these were built. Experts today don’t know for sure because that knowledge has been lost. Let’s look at what Paul wrote in first Corinthians.

1 Corinthians 13:8-13
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

While we can perfectly read prophecy that is written in the Bible, even with those words we still look to the future as if looking through a dark glass. That dark glass can make it hard to clearly see what is prophetically before us. When faced with dark physical surroundings that we are trying to understand, we have tools we can use. Most smart phones have a flashlight built into it. Night vision technology can be used to look through darkness to more clearly see. Even my car has sensors that will tell me when another car is in the car’s blind spot. We have been given the word of God that has prophetic writings and some of us have been given the spiritual gift of prophecy. With prophecy it is like we have a flashlight shining in the darkness. We can’t see every detail of what is around us as our focus is very narrowly limited by the light of the flashlight. Beyond the illumination of the flashlight, everything fades to darkness and with that darkness, we have a choice to consider when considering what is in the darkness, whether that be what we would expect to find during the day based on prior knowledge of the location, or something left to our imagination. If we tend to base what is in the darkness on our imagination and not grounded on anything related to fact, we will probably make incorrect conclusions about what is in the darkness, because it is only what is in the darkness outside of the field of illumination that matters. What we think is in the darkness will influence what we do but may not be grounded in reality. Prophecy is like that. There are no private interpretations of prophecy. Neither your or my imagination can change what will prophetically happen, and because all prophecy has this element of looking through a dark glass, it’s easy for us to use our imagination to fill in the gaps and think it’s all about the prophecy. Decades ago, I taught a student who had petit mal seizures, very small seizures, that presented as daydreaming. To fill in the gap of time during the seizures, this student’s imagination kicked in, and what the student imagined having happened and what actually happened were sometimes different. Let’s look at what Peter wrote about prophecy.

2 Peter 1:19-21
We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

Peter reminds us that what we think prophecy says and what prophecy actually says can be two different things, and that we must be led by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, there is nothing written in the scriptures that was just made up by man. In giving his sermon on Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was first given to the church, Peter explained that it is the Holy Spirit that allows for people to prophesy, and that the Holy Spirit would be poured out on all flesh, giving people of all ages the gift of prophecy. What Peter didn’t understand at the time of this sermon was that all flesh included the gentiles.

Acts 2:14-21
But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Whatever is spoken or written in prophecy must agree with God’s will. There is nothing that can be spoken or written in prophecy that would somehow bind God to act. Prophecy doesn’t work that way. What is certain is that some events will lead to the fulfillment of prophecy and that God will reveal what He will do to his servants first. That doesn’t mean we will have knowledge of every little detail regarding prophecy, but through the gift of prophecy we will be aware of what is to prophetically happen, and as Paul wrote looking at prophecy will be like looking through a dark glass. Let’s look at Amos.

Amos 3:3-8
Can two walk together, except they be agreed? Will a lion roar in the forest, when he hath no prey? will a young lion cry out of his den, if he have taken nothing? Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all? Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil in a city, and the LORD hath not done it? Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets. The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord GOD hath spoken, who can but prophesy?

When I read this passage from Amos, I think of my dog JoJo who when he was a younger dog didn’t always understand the concept of walking together in agreement. I remember one windy day when we were walking along a street and when JoJo saw a leaf being blown across the street, he took off like a dart forgetting that I was the person on the other end of the leash. The result of that was I couldn’t fully use my arm for several months as my elbow was over extended. After that I recall reminding JoJo to walk with me and not against me. Today as a senior dog, JoJo is as sweet as can be.

Living in the last days we must be vigilant to walk in agreement with God. The society in which we live has turned from God and people are focused on many other things than God. All those other things that people are focused on revolve around the self, and yet even though they are focused on the self, they have a form of godliness. Having a form of godliness means they might be thought of as good people. They might belong to a church and do great and wonderful things in their community, but they have a form of godliness. To everyone else on the outside, they appear religious. On the inside their thoughts are much different. We cannot allow ourselves to become like these people, because if we become like these people, we won’t be walking in agreement with God and prophecy will be of no use to us. We need to remain focused on what is in the Bible, and while we can look to the Bible for prophetic writings, we need to remember that what is in the Bible is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction in righteousness so that we can walk in agreement with God doing good works.

2 Timothy 3:1-17
This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

Even with the gift of prophecy comes the warning about false prophets. There were false prophets in the Old Testament and Peter warns us of false teachers who will try to influence the church. By their actions the truth will be thought of as evil. Consider what Peter says. False teachers will cause the truth to be spoken evil of. Do you know any segments of society that looks at Christianity as evil today? That just confirms that false teachers are working today. These false teachers bring heresy and some even deny Jesus Christ. They are greedy and focused on money, and when it comes to you and me, they are more interested in our money than us, even though the flattering words they use may be very appealing.

2 Peter 2:1-3
But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.

A false teacher is also a false prophet when their teachings spill over into prophecy. John tells us in his first letter that false prophets deny Jesus Christ, that he came in the flesh as a man. We have all probably heard the term antichrist, with some referring to the Antichrist, looking to the book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation does not use the name, the Antichrist. It speaks of a beast and false prophet. Only in the letters of John will we find the term Antichrist. John tells us that those who do not believe Jesus has come in the flesh have the spirit of antichrist. In an earlier chapter of this letter, John tells us that there are many antichrists.

1 John 4:1-6
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

What John is telling us is that there are many false prophets in the world, and where there are many false prophets there will be many false prophecies. John tells us to prove, to test, to see if what is being said is of God. Paul shared with the Corinthians that it is not always easy to see who is true and who is false, because even Satan can transform himself into an angel of light. Paul does warn of false apostles who work through deceit.

2 Corinthians 11:7-15
Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Jesus warned of false prophets who outwardly appear righteous, but who truly seek just for themselves. Jesus taught to look to their fruit, what they do. Is it what they do, the result of being led by the Holy Spirit where the fruit of the spirit is evident, or is what they do the result of selfish ambition, where they are focused on money and numbers as if they are merchandising the brethren?

Matthew 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

False prophets will continue to be with us right up to the return of Jesus Christ. We know that in the future the great tribulation will ensnare the world, and that it will be so bad that unless God intervened to shorten the duration of the great tribulation, all people would die one earth. Even during this worst of times, there will be false prophets and even false Christs who will be so convincing that if it were possible, they would even fool the very elect.

Matthew 24:15-28
When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, whoso readeth, let him understand: Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains: Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days! But pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the sabbath day: For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened. Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be. For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

From the time of Moses, it was made very clear that false prophets were not to be tolerated. God told the people that false prophets would die and that we are not to fear them. Today as we become aware of false prophets, we do not fear them. We also do not seek their harm knowing that when God says false prophets will die, God will bring that to pass according to God’s will.

Deuteronomy 18:20-22
But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die. And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken? When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

Prophecy is a gift of the Holy Spirit, as are miracles, discerning of spirits, speaking and interpreting foreign languages, and the ability to heal. Like with any gift, there is nothing we can do to earn it. Certain events may need to transpire first to receive a gift. Graduation gifts are given at graduation and wedding gifts are given at a wedding. With the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we don’t earn the gifts, but we must first have the Holy Spirit. Not all who have the Holy Spirit receive the same gifts just like not all who graduate or marry receive the same gifts.

1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant. Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these dumb idols, even as ye were led. Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

When given a gift of the Holy Spirit, that gift does not make us better than others who also have the Holy Spirit, because with the Holy Spirit we are all part of the same body, the same family of faith. Whatever spiritual gifts we have been given; we need to use those spiritual gifts in direct proportion to the faith we have. The more faith we have, the more prominent the gifts of the Holy Spirit will be in our life.

If we have been given the Holy Spirit, we should expect to notice at least one gift of the Holy Spirit working in us. If we are having a hard time finding a gift of the Holy Spirit working in us, we need to examine our faith, because that could indicate our faith is much weaker than we think. With all that we have been given, we need to serve God doing what we can do for others, especially those who are of the household of faith, and never use the faith we have been given as a basis for revenge, because vengeance belongs to God. We overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:1-21
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Paul tells us to follow love and desire spiritual gifts, preferring those spiritual gifts which can help the entire church. Prophecy is one of those gifts which can help the entire church. Other spiritual gifts, like being able to speak or interpret foreign languages will help a much smaller segment of the church.

1 Corinthians 14:1-5
Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye may prophesy. For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the spirit he speaketh mysteries. But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. He that speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth edifieth the church. I would that ye all spake with tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.

The spiritual gifts we receive through the Holy Spirit are good and perfect and will help us and others on our journey to the Kingdom of God. God will not give us a spiritual gift to entrap us and others to keep us from the Kingdom of God. When we fall short, it is not because of the gifts of the Holy Spirit; it is a result of sin which germinated in lust through human temptation. With the gifts of the Holy Spirit, we are to continue in the perfect law of liberty, and we focus on doing what the Bible tells us do.

James 1:13-25
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God. Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Gifts of the Holy Spirit are given with the Holy Spirit. There is nothing we do to receive the gift, but like any gift we receive, we can choose to value or not value it. We can choose to use the gift or not use the gift, but the gift was given to us. Fruit of the Holy Spirit is a product of spiritual growth, and unlike gifts of the Holy Spirit that were just given to us, effort is involved with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We must live our life understanding that the faith we have as Christians is much different than what was practiced during the Old Testament. No longer are we justified by the law. We are saved by faith which works through love.

Even though we live a life based in faith, Paul warned about people focused on the law. A good way to think of the law is a huge checklist where everything needs to be properly checked off to attain salvation. We are saved through faith which works in love. Jesus gave his life for us so that we could have eternal life, giving us a freedom that was not known in the Old Testament, and is focused in part in loving others as we love ourselves.

Paul encouraged the Galatians to walk in the spirit as they would not fulfill the lust of the flesh. He reminded them we are all in this struggle between flesh and spirit. It is when we walk in the spirit that we see the fruit of the Holy Spirit, and we do want to see the fruit of the Holy Spirit because that indicates we are not walking to fulfill the lusts of the flesh. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, kindness, and self-control. Because we have the Holy Spirit, we are to walk in the Spirit. We are not to walk to fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

Galatians 5:1-26
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Behold, I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing. For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that he is a debtor to do the whole law. Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. I have confidence in you through the Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the offence of the cross ceased. I would they were even cut off which trouble you. For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

We are given gifts of the Holy Spirit and must produce fruit of the Holy Spirit. The gifts of the Holy Spirit we have been given become more prominent as our faith develops and grows. As Christians we may have been given a different gift or gifts of the Holy Spirit than another Christian, but that doesn’t make us and more or any less of a Christian. Each of us must produce fruit of the Holy Spirit, and one of those fruit is faith. That means that when we consider using the gifts of the Holy Spirit or producing fruit of the Holy Spirit, we should not ignore the spiritual gifts we have been given but must understand those gifts can only be used in proportion to our faith. Producing fruit of the Holy Spirit will magnify the spiritual gifts we have been given.

All verses are from the King James Version.
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