We've been talking about the operation of the Holy Spirit in the church and in the life of the believer. We have talked mostly about the gifts or powerful manifestations of the Spirit. We now turn our attention to the fruit of the Spirit.

Gifts of the Spirit are, of course, the manifestations of his power in our service to God. Fruit is what we produce - it is what originates, or comes from your life.

Immediately, we see that gifts come from God - originate from Him - and fruit comes from us. Someone said, "What you are is God's gift to you. What you become is your gift to God." That's a pretty good description of fruit. It is what you become - what flows from your life and identifies you.

Jesus said, "…you will know them…" not by their gifts, but "…by their fruits." In other words, spiritual gifts don't change a person. Incredibly, it appears that water can flow through some pipes without the pipe even getting wet.

Spiritual gifts are not dependent on the person but solely on the sovereign will of God. God can and will, at times, use the most unlikely people. His gifts come and go like the wind. You can't predict it. As soon as you go into a meeting and pick out a thoroughbred believer you figure God will use, God will pick some donkey out of the crowd and fool you.

I believe God does that so we will not put our eyes on man. If He uses somebody you don't like, you're less likely to put that person on a pedestal.

On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit must be sought after and developed. If you walk in the spirit, follow the spirit, submit to the spirit, and are led by the spirit, you will exhibit the fruit of the spirit. They will flow from your life as you flow in the Spirit of God.

It is unfortunate that, whereas prophecy or faith or healing will burst from you suddenly as the need arises, love will not burst forth. It grows. Normally God does not zap you with love for someone. I'm sure it may happen occasionally, but normally love is a choice you make, not a gift you receive.

By your continual praying for someone, you will develop a love for them. But this is an outgrowth of your decision to pray and diligence to keep at it.

Neither will you normally find patience or joy or any of the other fruits manifest in you suddenly. Patience comes very slowly. Joy comes from trusting God - casting your care on Him - and basking in His salvation.

It's a simple concept really. Gifts are received; fruits grow.

If I had to choose, I'm afraid I would be tempted to choose gifts because they are so much more exciting. But the fruits are so needful. While the gifts show God's power, and power is what men are impressed with, the fruits show His nature. Fortunately, we don't have to choose between the two. They both come from the same source. If we pay attention to the Spirit, we will see the gifts made available. If we follow the Spirit, we will see the fruits develop.

It is interesting that there are nine gifts and nine fruits listed. A perfect balance!

The fruit of the Spirit is:

Love - this is agape' love. Agape is one of the several Greek words for love, but it represents a love deeper than most. It is not the love of a friend, nor the love of a spouse. It is more like the love of a mother to a child, but even more. It is the love that sent a Savior to earth to die for us. It is sacrificial love. And it is a fruit of the Holy Spirit.

Joy - Joy is a gladness of spirit. It is something that abides deep within and bursts forth on occasion. But this joy is not the joy of this world. No! It is much greater than that. Worldly joy is dependent upon circumstances. Spirit joy abides deep and often comes forth when worldly situations are at their worst. Godly joy is not dependent upon circumstances but upon the abiding of God within our hearts. Our joy comes from knowing that we have a right standing with God even though we don't deserve it. It comes from pleasing Him.

Peace - We have a peace that passes understanding.

When you rest in God, you have nothing to worry about. He is in full control. Let him have the wheel. You rest in Him. He is our peace.

Longsuffering - Now there's a blessing I've been looking for! Actually, it is not as bad as it sounds. We usually think of suffering as a negative thing. But there is a suffering that develops character and a suffering that ministers to others.

Longsuffering is patience, endurance, constancy, steadfastness, perseverance, forbearance, slowness in avenging wrongs. These are all positive qualities - qualities of Christian character that we each need to develop.

Longsuffering is willing to wait as long as it takes and not give; it is ready to endure whatever may come in order to win the prize; it is steady and constant - it never wavers; it is steadfast, fixed and faithful; it perseveres to the end; it forbears the failings of others and keeps believing in them; it is slow to anger and to avenge.

There is much too little longsuffering in the world today.

Gentleness - This word may have a better translation. It means kindness, morality, and integrity. It is possibly, more correctly, self control. It is the ability to do the right thing when the wrong thing is so appealing. It is an absolute necessity for those in leadership and Christian service.

Goodness - Goodness is uprightness of heart and life. It is just plain being good. If you will follow the Spirit of God, you will naturally be good and upright. The Spirit only does what the Father leads him to do. So will you if you will be led by the Spirit.

Faith - In this context, this is more rightly faithfulness, fidelity. There are two sides of faith. There is the trust - as in trusting God for our salvation. And then there is trustworthiness - as in God being able to trust us with his gifts. Are you trustworthy? Are you completely faithful? Are you dependable?

God trusted Abraham.

Because Abraham proved to be faithful.

Meekness - Ah! Here is an oft misunderstood word. Contrary to popular belief, meek does not mean mild-mannered. It does not mean shy or backward. It means humble, controlled, self-effacing.

Only two men were ever referred in the Bible as being meek - Moses and Jesus. Moses was a powerful leader. But he always put others before himself. He took charge of a whole generation who didn't understand or appreciate him. Jesus gave all He had for us. He sacrificed himself. Though He had the power and authority to call twelve legions of angels to his rescue, he did not. He subdued his power and allowed his love to prevail.

Meekness is Benny Hinn letting me preach.

Temperance - This is another aspect of self-control. Temperance keeps temptations in check. It keeps the fleshly desires at bay. Temperance is resisting those things that beckon us, though we know better. Paul tells us that he kept his flesh under control. So must all believers.

Which is better - fruit of gifts? Neither! They are equally important. Every believer must see to it that he position himself or herself to be used of God and, at the same time, nurture the fruit of the Spirit through spiritual discipline. Spiritual discipline is simply doing what you know is right - doing what ought to be done - doing what Jesus would do.

Being Baptized in the Holy Spirit does not guarantee that you will have any of these fruits or gifts. It is up to you to keep yourself fully submitted to God and tuned in to the Holy Spirit. It is God alone who can save you, but He will not live the life for you. You have to do that.