FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:

If you remember, the last part of last week’s study ended “The characteristics of a disciple” and we touched on the fruit of the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit as mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 

As disciples of Jesus Christ we have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of us. 

( John 14:17; Romans 8:9; 1Cor 3:16)

Eph 5:8-12, 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret.

WHAT MUST YOU DO TO OBTAIN THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT?

ARE THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT AND GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (Spiritual gifts) THE SAME THING?

SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

Spiritual gifts are given by the will of the Holy Spirit. Your Spiritual gifts are just for you. Not everyone has the same Spiritual gifts. (see Hebrews 2:4)

Romans 12:3-8, 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 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; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness 

Other scriptures that may help you identify other spiritual gifts are: Eph 4:7-13; 1 Cor. 12:1-11, 27-31. Please read the Scriptures if you can, if you don’t have time here is a list of Spiritual gifts listed in the Scriptures: be Apostles, Be Prophets, Be teachers, miracles, helps (hospitality), administration, tongues, wisdom, knowledge, faith, prophecy, discernment of spirits, interpretation of tongues, evangelist, pastor, ministry, teaching, exhortation (encouragement), giving, leading, and mercy.  Spiritual gifts are abilities, used in ministry.

WHICH SPIRITUAL GIFT OR GIFTS FIT YOU?

ARE GIFT ABILITIES THE SAME AS PHYSICAL ABILITIES?

WHAT ARE MY SPIRITUAL GIFTS?

Questions you may ask yourself to determine your spiritual gift(s):

1. What brings you joy and happiness?
2. What are you comfortable doing?
3. Ask your Christian friends, they may see things about you that you cannot see!
4. Pray for the Lord to reveal your gift(s) to you.

1Cor 12:4-11, 4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given 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.

WILL THE LORD GIVE YOU A GIFT YOU DON’T FIT OR ARE UNCOMFORTABLE WITH?

CAN A SPIRITUAL GIFT BE TEMPORARY?

Please feel free to share any Scriptures you came up with answering these questions. Your comments, thoughts and questions are encouraged so we can edify and exhort each other. God bless you!

NEXT WEEK:

What do I use my Spiritual gifts for?

How do I use my Spiritual gifts for: 

1. Family
2. Friends
3. Co-workers
4. Church
5. Community

What are spiritual gifts? [GUIDE]