The Fruit of the SpiritSýnishorn

Covet the Gifts of the Spirit

“Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: You know that you were Gentiles, carried away to these dumb idols, however you were led. Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God calls Jesus accursed, and no one can say that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit.

There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. 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 the 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.” —1 Corinthians 12:1–11, NKJV

Whereas all believers are commanded to manifest the fruit of the Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit are sovereignly bestowed on various people in the body of Christ by God. However, if you believe you are exempt from earnestly desiring the gifts of the Spirit, I answer: if you do not want them, I question whether you have the Holy Spirit at all. I firmly believe that if you have the Holy Spirit, you are going to welcome the pursuit of the fruit of the Spirit. Likewise, if you have the same Holy Spirit in you, you will take Paul’s word seriously—to “covet” the gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor. 12:31, KJV).

The Greek word zēloō means “to burn with zeal” or “be zealous.” Paul uses this word in 1 Corinthians 12:31 to instruct us to be zealous in wanting the gifts of the Spirit. There is a scholarly debate whether zēloō is in the imperative mood, thus meaning a command, or in the present tense, thus acknowledging what these Corinthians already coveted. Either way, it shows what people of the Spirit want—or should want!

The fruit of the Spirit is a demonstration to the world that we are different from the world. The world knows nothing of agape love, inner joy, and peace—not to mention self-control. The gifts of the Spirit are bestowed not only for our effectiveness in the world but also for edifying the body of Christ. The gifts are for the “common good” of the church (1 Cor. 12:7).

In my book Holy Fire I refute the notion that the gifts of the Spirit ceased centuries ago by God’s decree. If that were so, the fruit of the Spirit should also cease!  

Thankfully neither ceased. If Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Heb. 13:8), so too is the Holy Spirit the same yesterday, today, and forever. God is the same. He does not change (Mal. 3:6). The commands of Scripture do not change. We are responsible for them all.

For example, when a new Christian begins reading the Bible, he or she will read it thinking that God is still all-powerful and can and does do anything! How sad when someone says to this new convert, “Oh, by the way, you can’t believe all of the Bible.” Liberals say that!

Why is it that Word people emphasize the fruit of the Spirit but seem to be shy when speaking of the gifts? I answer again: because of tongues. That’s it. Nothing more. If there were no mention of the gift of tongues in 1 Corinthians 12, there would never have been a cessationist teaching. Tongues is where the offense is. My colleague Charles Carrin says, “Tongues is the only spiritual gift deliberately designed to attack man’s ego and pride.” There is no stigma when it comes to the other gifts: wisdom, knowledge, faith, miracles, prophecy. Who wouldn’t welcome any of these? But because of tongues, which can be so embarrassing, one has to eliminate these greater gifts! And it is the greater gifts—the “higher gifts” (1 Cor. 12:31)—we are to earnestly desire.

Someone will no doubt say, “Since the gift of tongues is at the bottom of the list, that shows it is not important.” Wrong. We just saw that self-control—a very important fruit indeed—is at the bottom of Paul’s list of the fruit of the Spirit. I do agree that wisdom is a higher gift than speaking in tongues, but all the gifts listed are important and valuable.  

I say to anyone who wants as much of the Holy Spirit as you can get: be willing to start at the bottom—where the stigma is—if you really and truly want more of the Holy Spirit! Do you want the gift of wisdom? Be willing to start at the bottom! Would you like the gift of healing? Be prepared to start at the bottom if you truly covet the gifts of the Holy Spirit as God’s Word instructs you to.

Personal Reflection

What has your experience been like with the spiritual gifts? Have you known people who have operated in them? Have you seen them in operation in your own life? What has been the result?  

Do you agree that the gift of tongues can be embarrassing? Why do you think that is? Spend some time with God, praying about the spiritual gifts. Which gift do you long to see moving in your life? How would this gift change the world around you?