The spiritual gifts of the Spirit are given to every believer for the purpose of ministerial assignments, but they are not necessarily a means of judging the depth of a person’s spiritual life. People often mistake that just because a person may speak in tongues means they are superior to others.

The fruit of the Spirit in contrast displays the development of a person’s character as they are transformed to the image of Christ.

Apart from the gifts of the Spirit, there are natural gifts and talents people are endowed with from birth. Just as we do not choose our natural talents we also do not select the gifts of the Spirit.

The manifestations of the gifts of the Spirit are given to each individual based on God’s divine choosing and the ministry needs of each individual situation and calling. The gifts of the Spirit are as follows: (1) Word of Knowledge (2) Word of Wisdom (3) Gift of Prophecy (4) Gift of Faith (5) Gifts of Healing (6) The Working of Miracles (7) Discerning of Spirits (8) Speaking in Tongues (9) Interpretation of Tongues ~ 1 Corinthians 12.

Regardless of their various gifting, believers are called to abide in Christ and develop the same fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control ~ Galatians 5:22-23).

Christians may receive different spiritual gifts; however, we should each be known by the same fruit of the Spirit.