What is the difference between the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit?
Although there is a ninefold list of both spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit, there are significant differences. First, the lists are totally different — there is no overlap between gifts and fruit. Second, the spiritual gifts are ministry gifts — “for the common good,” hence to serve others; whereas the spiritual fruit refers to the believer’s own growth in Christian character. Third, the gifts of the Spirit may operate at any time (“distributing to each one individually just as He wills” (1 Cor. 12:11); fruit takes time to grow and develop. We need both the operation of the gifts and the maturation of the fruit for a balanced Christian life. 9. What purpose do the gifts serve? Spiritual gifts are given for the upbuilding of the body of believers: they are “power tools.” As the manifestation of the Spirit, they are all supernatural enablements; for example, to speak a word of wisdom, to effectuate healings, to work miracles, to discern various spirits — all for the benefit of othe
