The body of Christ today is more knowledgeable than ever before in the area of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, but we are extremely lacking in the area of understanding our spiritual “fruit.” We need to make sure that we connect the “Fruit of the Spirit” with the “gifts of the Spirit.”

Let’s break it down first by identifying what the Word of God means by “gifts” versus “fruit.” James 1:17 says; (1)“Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

The 12 chapter of 1 Corinthians 4, 8-11 verses – reveals the “gifts” of the Holy Spirit that are given to every believer; (4) “There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (8) For to one is give the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit (9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, (10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. (11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

Just as people are all different, the gifts are different for each person, but they are all given to us by the same Spirit. He may give one person the word of wisdom and to another the gift of healing. The key word here is that they are all gifts. You can do nothing to earn these gifts, because you receive them according to the will of the Holy Spirit. Gift always confirm the Word of the Lord. In other words, whether you receive a word of wisdom, a word of knowledge, a prophecy, or speak in tongues it confirms what God is saying to you or doing through you.

The “fruit” of the Spirit, on the other hand, is the expression of our renewed nature as it is seen by others. Galatians 5:22-23 tells us what this “fruit” is; “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness, self-control. Against such there is not law.

Christ is coming back for His body, which is the Church. He’s coming for those who possess His nature. It doesn’t matter whether or not you speak in tongues or if God uses you to prophesy. Jesus is coming back to connect with those who possess His own nature; and that goes far beyond merely exercising spiritual gifts.

Consider what the Word of God say in Matthew 7:22-23; “Man will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” (23) And then I will declare to them, I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!”

I suggest to you on this day, be certain that your name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life! Many people attend conferences, and go to church but they don’t necessarily receive the “fruit” He desires.

So often these same people who praise the meeting go to the product tables and fight over books and tapes. This should not be. If you are a believer, a child of God, first and foremost God wants you to display His character. He wants the “fruit of the Spirit to operate in you to the degree that you obey His commands and do His bidding. The time is now, God is dealing with His people on checking their “fruit.” Yes, it’s good for us to serve Him, but as we serve we need to guard our faith or we can fall prey to the enemy. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 tells us (18)“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare. (19) Having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck.”

This tells us you can be actively serving, yet refuse to deal with character issues – and this could disqualify you from doing God’s work. We need to do regular “fruit-checks,” because developing the “fruit of the Spirit” lays the proper foundation needed to operate in the things of God. I believe God is tired of pretense.

Too many believers have become “professional Christians.” We have become skilled at praising the Lord in church services, and then doing whatever we feel like doing afterwards. We have become so professional that we justify our lack of fruit. We make excuses for our behavior like, “That’s just my personality… that’s how I am.”

I say to you again check your fruit! I suggest you study the word love in your Bible. In Galatians 5:6 our faith works through love. So many gifts you exercise should flow from love as well as God’s people, we should relate to each other from a spirit of love. Lastly, I say to you, is God’s fruit in you? We need to cooperate with God for Him to develop our fruit to maturity.

We must return to the Bible, God’s living Word, so that it can reveal who we really are and develop the “fruit of the Spirit” in us. You and I must learn our Bible so well that our “fruit” continues to grow no matter what situations we’re facing. We must be rooted and grounded in God’s Word that we can stand in the midst of trouble and not be shaken.

When you really begin to search the Word of God, the Word will get in your spirit and begin to do surgery on you. There will be many times when the Holy Spirit is dealing so strongly with you in prayer that you can hardly pray for anybody else, because He’s working on you! As you are praying and studying the Word of God, letting the Holy spirit change you – God is forming His character in you, He’ll help you to develop your spiritual gifts and use you in His perfect timing.

Dr. P.M. Wynn Grove can be seen each Sunday on “Heavenly Sent” Program -channel 53 at 4:00 p.m. in Denver and on “Heavenly Sent” Program – channel 51 & 6 in Colorado Springs at 10:00 a.m. You can also email her at; pmwynn9@msn.com