Oftentimes in the world of Christian leadership, we mistake two valuable traits of leaders, and in doing so, we foster pride and cultivate false humility in the lives of leaders.
The two distinctions that we need to make are between the fruits of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit.
The fruits of the Spirit are found in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” These fruits are the identifiable evidence of a believer that has Biblical character. Fruit implies that there was a seed sown and it took time to develop, create roots and grow up out of the ground (a hidden place) and form a plant. This is a beautiful picture of true fruit in a believers life, because it is not overnight, rather it takes time and grit to develop. Growth is not always comfortable or exciting, but often it happens in a hidden place where God can refine you and mold you, as the potter and the clay (Jeremiah 18). When we, as Christians decide to fully pick up and carry our cross every day, we are subject to where the Lord leads. Colossians 3:3, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.”
- Love: Agape love, the highest form of love in the New Testament, is unconditional and sacrificial. It involves caring deeply for others, seeking their well-being above our own, and showing compassion without expecting anything in return. Christ died and rose, perfectly exemplifying this love. This is the greatest commandment, to love God and love others.
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- Joy: This is more than just happiness based on circumstances; it's a deep and abiding sense of contentment and peace that comes from knowing and trusting in God, regardless of external circumstances. Happiness is fleeting. It can come in the form of a 12 oz latte and after a few sips its gone. Joy, though, goes deep. Joy says that regardless of my circumstances I can still praise God and be at peace in my soul. Psalm 16:11 says that in the presence of the Lord there is fullness of joy.
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- Peace: Peace, in the biblical sense, is not just the absence of conflict but a sense of wholeness and well-being. It involves harmony with God, oneself, and others, bringing a calm assurance even in the midst of challenges. The Bible says in Isaiah 26:3, that He will keep in perfect peace all who trust in Him, all whose thoughts are fixed on Him.
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- Patience: Patience is the ability to endure trials and difficulties without losing faith or becoming easily angered. It involves a steadfast and persevering attitude, trusting in God's timing.
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- Kindness: Kindness is characterized by genuine concern for others. It involves treating people with warmth, compassion, and generosity, seeking to uplift and encourage them.
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- Goodness: Goodness refers to moral excellence and integrity. It involves living a life that reflects righteousness, honesty, and a commitment to doing what is right.
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- Faithfulness: Faithfulness involves loyalty, reliability, and a steadfast commitment to God and others. It's the quality of being trustworthy and true to one's word.
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- Gentleness: Gentleness involves humility and meekness, treating others with a tender and considerate spirit. It's the opposite of harshness or a domineering attitude.
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- Self-Control: Self-control is the ability to govern one's impulses, desires, and actions. It involves discipline and moderation, avoiding excess and making wise choices.
These fruits are seen as evidence of the Holy Spirit's work in a person's life and are considered integral to the Christian journey of spiritual growth and maturity.
The Gifts of the Spirit, also known as the Spiritual Gifts, are mentioned in various passages in the New Testament of the Bible, particularly in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4. These gifts are believed by Christians to be bestowed by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of building up and edifying the Christian community. The Apostle Paul discusses these gifts, emphasizing their diversity and the importance of using them in service to others. The commonly recognized gifts of the Spirit include:
- Wisdom: The ability to apply knowledge and experience with discernment and sound judgment, especially in practical matters. One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 9:10, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”
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- Knowledge: A deep understanding of spiritual truths and a profound awareness of God's will and purpose. Proverbs 1:7, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
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- Faith: An extraordinary trust in God's promises, even in the face of challenging circumstances. It is not merely intellectual belief but a confident reliance on God. (James 2:17)
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- Healing: The ability to serve as a conduit for God's healing power, bringing physical, emotional, or spiritual healing to individuals.
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- Miracles: The capacity to perform supernatural acts that go beyond the natural order, demonstrating God's power and presence.
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- Prophecy: The ability to receive and communicate messages from God, often involving insights into the future or the forth-telling of God's truth for the present.
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- Discernment: The ability to perceive and understand spiritual realities, distinguishing between good and evil, truth and falsehood. This is a necessary gift for maturing believers in everyday life.
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- Speaking in Tongues: The ability to speak in languages unknown to the speaker, often for the purpose of prayer or worship. In Christian theology, this is sometimes associated with a prayer language or a form of communication with God.
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- Interpretation of Tongues: The ability to interpret messages spoken in tongues, making them understandable to others. This is for the edification of the body.
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- Administration (or Leadership): The ability to organize and guide others in a way that promotes the well-being of the community and the achievement of common goals.
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- Helps (or Service): The ability to meet practical needs and provide assistance to others in a way that supports and strengthens the community.
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- Mercy: The ability to show compassion and kindness to those who are suffering, along with a strong desire to alleviate their distress.
The purpose of these gifts is to build up the body of believers and glorify God. Not everyone has every gift, and because the Church is compared to a physical body, everyone needs to know the importance of their gift (1 Corinthians 12). The hand can’t be the eye, just as the gift of mercy is not the same as the gift of prophecy. When you become a Christ follower, God gives you (not always all at once) spiritual gifts! This is a super sweet part of life here on earth. God designed you uniquely and has given us different spiritual gifts so that we can be used by Him!
Now, the problem we face is a common one in the Church, and something that is important to be aware of, especially as young leaders. This problem is confusing spiritual gifts for spiritual fruit. Giftings are ways that the Holy Spirit can flow through our life. Fruit is evidence of a deep work of character development by the Holy Spirit. For example, you can be super talented at singing, but not have the character to sustain you to lead worship.
All in all, this comes down to being surrounded by healthy spiritual leaders that want the best for YOUR walk with God. They will disciple you, develop your character, challenge you and encourage you. Lets go back to the singing example
A healthy pastor would say: I care more about your character than your gifts.
An unhealthy pastor would say: I NEED your gifts to maintain the stability/ growth of my congregation, we can worry about character later.
Another key hindrance would be if the leader/ pastor knew you were living in sin and still choose to let you lead. This is NOT to say we must live a life of perfection, rather that we must be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:16).