You Shall Know a Tree by its Fruit
True Christians Have Spiritual Gifts
Fruits of the Spirit
“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.” (Gal 5:16-26)
In the above passage, we find a list of nine fruits of the spirit which are present in the life of a Christian:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Longsuffering
- Gentleness
- Goodness
- Faith
- Meekness
- Temperance
The Greek words (G2590, G2592, G2593) for fruit occur about 75 times in the New Testament and the Hebrew word (H6529) for fruit occurs about 120 times in the Old Testament.
Walking in the Spirit
There are many Bible verses that teach that walking in the Spirit involves immersion into the word of God. Here are a sample of those Scriptures:
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (Joh 8:12)
And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2Jn 1:6)
I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. (3Jn 1:4)
And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Mic 4:2)
Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. Be not ye therefore partakers with them. For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(Eph 5:1-8)
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
(Rom 6:4)
Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.
(1Th 4:1)
For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
(3Jn 1:3-4)
If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
(1Jn 1:6-7)
You Shall Know a Tree by its Fruit
The existence of Christian fruit in a believer is a witness that the person is actually saved. There are many that creep into churches but are not actually. The following Scriptures testify to the important of a Christian bearing spiritual fruit:
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. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
(Mat 7:15-23)
Either make the tree good, and his fruit good; or else make the tree corrupt, and his fruit corrupt: for the tree is known by his fruit.
(Mat 12:33)
But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
(Mat 13:8, see also Mk 4:8, Lk 8:8)
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
(Mat 13:23, see also Mk 4:20, Lk 8:15)
And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
(Luk 3:9)
For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
(Luk 6:43-45)
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.
(Joh 4:36)
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
(Joh 15:1-16)
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
(Rom 6:22)
Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. For when we were in the flesh, the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to bring forth fruit unto death.
(Rom 7:4-5)
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
(Heb 13:15)
And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.
(Jas 3:18)
These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
(Jud 1:12)
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. The ungodly are not so: but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away. Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous. For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
(Psa 1:1-6)
True Christians Have Spiritual Gifts
There are four notable passages in the Bible that provide us an important insight into the gifts of the Holy Spirit, which enable Christians to connect with God and share this connection with other people:
- 1 Cor 12:1-11 (1 Cor 14:1-33, Acts 10:38, Is 11:2-3)
- Ro 12:3-8
- Eph 4:11-16
- 1 Pet 4:10-11
The Bible teaches us that if we are a Christian, we will possess one or more spiritual gifts (1 Cor 7:7, 12:7). These gifts are ministered by Christians through the Holy Spirit who indwells them (1 Cor 12:4-11, Rom 8:9) and no believer has all the gifts (1 Cor 12:29-30). These gifts are not to be used selfishly but are given for the edification of the church (1 Cor 12:7, Eph 4:12). There are a variety of different type of gifts which will be looked at momentarily.
“…But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that.“ 1 Cor 7:7
Inspired by the Holy Spirit, Paul clearly states that each one has his own gift for ministering. In the case of Paul in the context of 1 Cor 7, his gift referred to was that of remaining single (1 Cor 7:7-9). By remaining single, he was more able to minister to those who are to inherit eternal life (1 Cor 7:25-40). However, the important point of 1 Cor 7:7 is that the Bible tells us that each Christian will have a spiritual gift (see also 1 Pet 4:10-11).
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all; for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge, through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things distributing to each one individually as He wills. For the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.” 1 Cor 12:7-12
In verse 7, the Scripture says that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one. Again, as was the case in 1 Cor 7:7, we are told that each one has a spiritual gift. The significant aspect of 1 Cor 12:7 is that the term ‘each one’ is placed in the emphatic position in the original Greek text of the New Testament. Therefore, this verse stresses the fact that each and every true Christian has a spiritual gift. It is important to note in verse 7 that these spiritual gifts are given for the profit of all. They are not to be used selfishly in order to draw attention to one’s self or to be used selfishly.
Verses 8-10 concern a listing of nine spiritual gifts:
“For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.“ Romans 12:4-8
This Scripture affirms that as members of the body of Christ, all true Christians will have a gift to offer for the functioning of the body. The gifts differ and are given to us by the grace God has given us. It is clear that God has given spiritual graces for different functions. Not everyone is able to preach or teach. Some are given the grace to be helpers and ‘do the dirty work’. The important point is that God has given some type of gift to each of us in order to minister to others (1 Pet 4:10-11, 1 Cor 1:5-7, 2 Cor 6:1). These gifts are given to us that we may all grow in sanctification (Eph 4:15). This is done by each member effectively working with the other parts of the body in order to cause growth of the body and edifying itself (Eph 4:16).
“And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.” (Eph 4:11-16)
“As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.” (1Pe 4:10-11)
Summary of Spiritual Gifts
The following is a list of spiritual gifts as identified in the Bible. Each gift and practical examples of how these gifts are manifested in today’s churches will be listed:
- Apostleship – a person specially called by God and that was an eyewitness of Jesus Christ. He transmitted traditions of the faith until they were put in written form. He was able to perform mighty signs.
- Prophecy – the ability to understand revelation from God and effectively preach to others
- Miracles (literally, power – Greek word dunamis)
-
- Physically, it is the ability to perform actions outside the realm of natural laws. This apostolic gift ended when the Bible was completed (Heb 2:3-4, 2 Cor 12:12, Ro 15:19). This apostolic gift was used as a type of salvation as well as validating the early church prior to the completion of the Bible.
- Spiritually, it is the gift of God to share the Bible in such a way in which God uses it to spiritually change a person, whether for salvation or producing holiness.
- Healing
- Physically, it is the ability to cure people of spiritual and demonic maladies (miraculous physical healings were an apostolic gift that ended when the Bible was completed).
- Spiritually, it is the gift of God to share the Bible in such a way in which God uses it to spiritually change a person, whether for salvation or producing holiness.
- Knowledge – the ability to understand and retain the deeper truths of God
- Tongues and Interpretation of Tongues
- Physically, it is the ability to proclaim God’s truth in previously unlearned languages. This apostolic gift ended when the Bible was completed (Heb 2:3-4, 2 Cor 12:12, Ro 15:19). This apostolic gift was used as a type of salvation as well as validating the early church prior to the completion of the Bible.
- Wisdom – the ability to most effectively put to use known facts in order to produce results or communicate a message
- Discerning of spirits – the special ability to understand the underlying motives of people’s spiritual teaching and using the Bible, to be able to distinguish between truth and error (1 John 4:1-3)
- Giving – the ability to gather, organize and give effectively to help Christians or further the spread of the Gospel
- Exhortation – the ability to motivate others using the Word of God
- Ministry (Helps) – the ability to joyfully give assistance to those who need help
- Mercy – The special ability to be compassionate, relate, and help those who are suffering or in need
- Governments – The ability to organize and direct others to produce a goal
- Faith – the ability to believe God for great accomplishments and be willing to make hard decisions to stand for the truth of the Bible
- Teaching – the ability to research, rightly divide and communicate God’s word truthfully
- Evangelism – the ability to tell others of the Gospel that will be used by God in their conversion
- Pastor/Teacher – the ability to shepherd and teach believers so that they will progress in sanctification
True Christians will have at least one of these above gifts. They will find a natural comfort with their gift and enjoy doing it. A warning must be given. For a professing Christian, that after a reasonable amount of time, finds that none of these gifts are in operation, then this is a symptom that the Holy Spirit may not be residing within this individual.