Spiritual Gifts PLUS Fruit of the Spirit PLUS Growth to Maturity in Christ
Understanding and use of our God-given spiritual gifts is essential.
Knowing that no one has all of the gifts is important.
Comprehending that fruit of the Spirit and spiritual disciplines and spiritual maturity in Christ are also critical pieces of our journey with the Lord.
Unlike spiritual gifts where each of us has a different mix of three to five, we are ALL to exhibit (and be growing in) each and EVERY one of the fruit of the Spirit. We are ALL to be practicing spiritual disciplines that make space for God and draw us closer to Him. We are ALL to be growing in maturity and Christlikeness.
What does Scripture tell us are the fruit of the Spirit and the marks of spiritual maturity—for ALL of us?
We are told that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things” Galatians 5:22-23.
When speaking about spiritual gifts to the church in Rome, Paul ties that discussion directly to spiritual growth. In Romans 12:1-8, the Apostle Paul exhorts his church sisters and brothers to live lives of sacrificial worship, in humility, faithfully using the different-but-equal gifts God has given [i.e. prophecy, faith, helps, teaching, exhortation, giving, mercy…]. He then goes on to delineate these marks of maturity:
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are.
Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written,
"Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord." No, "if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads."
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:9-21)
And, to the believers in Colossae, Paul’s charge includes:
As God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:12-17)
If we are new in Christ, we should be exhibiting ALL of the fruit of the Spirit in increasing measure:
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience
Kindness
Generosity
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control.
As we are transformed into the likeness of our Lord and Savior, we should see ongoing growth in these areas:
Love
Steadfastness
Honoring one another
Serving the Lord
Rejoicing in hope
Patience in suffering
Perseverance in prayer
Generosity towards believers
Hospitality to strangers
Blessing the persecutors
Rejoicing with those rejoicing
Weeping with those weeping
Living in harmony with others
Humility
Associating with the lowly
No revenge
Live nobly
Live at peace with everyone
Feed and slake the thirst of your enemies
Don’t be overcome by evil
Overcome evil with good
Compassion
Kindness
Meekness
Forgiveness—as we have been forgiven by the Lord
Hearts ruled by the peace of Christ
Thankfulness/gratitude
Christ’s word dwelling in us richly
Teaching one another
Admonishing one another with wisdom
Praising God with song
Doing everything in Jesus’ name
Reflect:
How do you think you are doing in exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit, in the power of the Spirit?
Of the marks of maturity, in which do you think you are consistently growing? Which are potential blind spots for you?
Ask the Lord to continue to work His character and will in and through you as you journey with Him.
Pray that your Christlikeness would be increasingly evident to believers and those outside the church.
Important resources:
Take this free spiritual gifts assessment or this free Spanish language spiritual gifts assessment.
Purchase the six-week workbook in English or Spanish:
Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of God's Affirmations For You: A Book of Encouragement—A 12-Week Devotional Practice, the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, DIOS. DONES. TÚ.: Tu llamado y diseño único (Spanish Edition), and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with hundreds of faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and executive leaders in a diversity of fields for four decades. She currently serves as Catalyst for Equipping at her church.
Photo © Shirley Giles Davis.
All rights reserved.
Additionally, the contents of these blog posts may not be used to train generative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies without the author's express permission