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In elevating the gifts, have we neglected the fruit of the Spirit?

In many Christian circles today, conversations about the gifts of the Spirit often dominate. Whether it’s the ability to prophesy, heal, or speak in tongues, these gifts are highly esteemed and actively sought after or debated on. But how often do we take the time to reflect on the fruit of the Spirit? Are we placing more value on what we can do through the Spirit than on who we are becoming because of Him?

I recently had a conversation with students while teaching church history, and it led to a fascinating discovery. As we talked about ministry and the role of the Spirit, I asked them to compare how often Scripture speaks about the gifts of the Spirit versus the fruit of the Spirit in the life of a believer. Their findings were surprising: while the gifts are mentioned and encouraged, the Bible spends much more time emphasizing character, integrity, and the fruit that should mark the life of a Christian.

This observation isn’t just theoretical. We’ve seen the real-world consequences when the fruit of the Spirit takes a backseat to the gifts. One of the most striking examples of this can be found in medieval church history. During this time, many clergy members wielded tremendous power, claiming spiritual authority while demonstrating little to no evidence of the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. Corruption was rampant. Church leaders often exhibited greed, immorality, and political manipulation, all while holding prestigious spiritual offices.

This brings us back to the question: Have we, in our generation, unintentionally elevated the gifts of the Spirit to a place where the fruit of the Spirit is overlooked? When was the last time you heard someone talk about gentleness, joy, or patience as somethingvery spiritual? When did you last hear a fellow believer encourage you to become more gentle, as Jesus was, or to cultivate joy as a mark of spiritual growth? These are the kinds of questions we should be asking ourselves. Are we seeking to see that God is making us more gentle, more peaceful, more joyful? Are we exhibiting love like our Lord?

The fruit of the Spirit is like a leader guiding the gifts of the Spirit to reach their full potential and capacity. It is a source from which our gifts are energized. But it’s not only that—it’s also a lens through which people see our gifts in operation. Through this lens, they can see our hearts, relate to us, and appreciate us as people who are serving God. Now, as you read this, look around. Look at the ministers around you. How are they showing the fruit of the Spirit? Are their gifts being carried by love, joy, peace, and gentleness?

Looking back at the medieval period, we see examples of church leaders who possessed spiritual gifts but failed to reflect the fruit of the Spirit. Pope Alexander VI is a prime example. Known for his political cunning and holding significant influence within the church, he was believed to have been a gifted leader, but his personal life was marred by immorality, greed, and corruption. His reign was infamous for moral failure despite his spiritual role. The fruit of the Spirit—like self-control and goodness—was glaringly absent in his life, though he wielded power and spiritual authority.

This isn’t an isolated case. Other leaders of the time, even those known for their preaching and influence, often lacked the integrity and moral grounding that should have accompanied their gifts. Their stories serve as reminders of the danger in elevating spiritual gifts over character, of focusing on outward displays while neglecting the inner transformation that the Spirit seeks to work within us.

The gifts of the Spirit are given by the Father to those who are saved and operate by the power of the Spirit. But here’s the key: the fruit of the Spirit is the foundation, the base on which our spiritual gifts should operate. We should prophesy in love, lead with gentleness, and minister with patience. In other words, our spiritual gifts are enhanced and operate properly when grounded in the fruit of the Spirit. They are to be found in the life of a person who is continually growing in the fruit of the Spirit.

This isn’t to diminish the gifts but to remind us that spiritual maturity is about both gifts and fruit. It’s a sobering reminder that having spiritual gifts doesn’t necessarily indicate spiritual maturity. The church of the medieval period shows us what happens when the gifts are prioritized without the grounding in the fruit of the Spirit. The result was a morally compromised leadership that contributed to a period of deep spiritual and societal unrest.

This brings us back to today. Gifts can be impressive, but without the fruit, they can lead to pride, misuse, and ultimately, spiritual failure. On the other hand, the fruit of the Spirit ensures that our gifts are used in a way that honors God and serves others selflessly.

So, as we admire and seek the gifts, it’s important to ask ourselves: Are we giving equal, if not more, attention to the fruit of the Spirit? Have we taken the time to examine our own character and growth in these areas? Because at the end of the day, the true evidence of a Spirit-filled life isn’t just in the gifts we display, but in the fruit we bear.