"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[b] 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 12:7-11
"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." Galatians 5:22
I was reading my friend Lori Green's blog and she was talking about Romans 12...us being many members but one body and that we are to LET the people with gifts function in their gifts! It was really good and made me think about the Gifts of the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit and how they work with one another.
I believe that the Gifts of the Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12 are meant to be balanced out by the Fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22. Like an old school measuring scale, the NINE Gifts are listed on one side and the NINE Fruit on the other....thereby balancing each other.
The thing that makes it difficult is that you don't have to do anything to receive a GIFT, but the FRUIT (character) needed to use that gift properly takes time to grow. GIFTS ARE GIVEN, BUT FRUIT GROWS. That means that the Lord gives gifts to immature and broken people and allows us time to develop the character we need to balance them out and use them in the most effective manner.
So, the question is, does an immature believer whom God has given GIFTS to have the room to use those gifts, even if they make mistakes? Do we allow them to minister to us, even if they aren't perfect? Do we reject the GIFT of God to us because of the way it comes wrapped?
It is easy to do that. I challenge you to be open to the GIFT that God may have for you through an immature, crinkled, package....We're all just cracked pots anyway, right?
