Help from the Holy Spirit #2
People often emphasize the gifts of the Holy Spirit. While they are important, they are secondary to the fruit of the Spirit. More than once Jesus made it clear that His followers would be known by their fruit. A tree must bear fruit. So too with Christians - it is more important that we bear fruit than receive gifts.When the character traits of love, joy and peace are evident in our lives, when others remark on our patience, kindness, and goodness and people can see that we are faithful, gentle, and self-controlled then it is clear that God is at work in us.
None of these nine fruit come easily to us as human beings. We need help to be more loving and more patient. The Holy Spirit working in us will release the potential that will enable us to be the people God wants us to be.
The more we allow God to work in us, the more these nine fruit will be evident in us. I have heard people say that one must fall over to be filled with the Spirit or that speaking in another language (tongues) is the only evidence of the coming of the Holy Spirit. But neither of these is true.
I know many people who have never had a dramatic experience like that and yet are full of good fruit. They are truly filled with the Spirit!
| But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Galatians5:22) |
