One of the most misunderstood truths in Christianity is this:
Christian maturity (Christlikeness) is measured by the fruit of the Spirit, not the gifts of the Spirit.
Spiritual gifts are powerful, spectacular, and attention-grabbing; but they are not the ultimate proof of spiritual growth.
A believer can be anointed and still be immature.
A believer can be gifted and still be carnal.
A believer can be used by God and still be unrefined.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance…” (Galatians 5:22–23)
Notice something striking:
The Bible never says “the fruits of the Spirit”; it says fruit.
Gifts are many, but fruit is one. You don’t pick and choose fruit; you grow it.
God, in His sovereignty, can choose to shine through a spiritual baby; just as He once spoke through a donkey (Numbers 22:28).
But let’s be honest:
Being used by God does not automatically mean you are mature in God.
A spiritual babe may boldly declare:
“I prophesy! I see visions! I’m very spiritual!”
But Jesus didn’t say, “By their gifts you shall know them.”
He said:
“By their fruit you shall know them.” (Matthew 7:16)
Gifts impress people. Fruit transforms people.
Think about it:
A mango tree does not announce, “I’m a mango tree!”
It simply produces mangoes.
In the same way, Christlikeness is not advertised; it is revealed.
Even more sobering is this truth:
“Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name…?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you.’” (Matthew 7:22–23)
Shocking!
People prophesying; casting out devils; working miracles, yet lacking intimacy and character.
Why?
Because Satan can imitate gifts, but he is a complete failure at imitating fruit.
He can fake prophecy, miracles, and manifestations;
but he cannot fake genuine love, meekness, self-control, patience, and humility.
Gifts operate through grace.
Fruit grows through process.
Gifts can show up overnight.
Fruit takes time, pruning, pressure, and obedience (John 15:2).
So the real question is not:
“How gifted are you?”
But:
“How loving are you when offended?”
“How peaceful are you under pressure?”
“How gentle are you when corrected?”
“How self-controlled are you when no one is watching?”
In the Kingdom of God, power without character is dangerous, and anointing without fruit is incomplete.
May we not raise believers who can shake churches but cannot control their temper.
May we not celebrate gifts while neglecting growth.
And may we pursue not just the hand of God; but the heart of God.
Because in the end,
Gifts may take you to the stage, but fruit will take you to eternity.
shalom!
#Pstnath
Jesus is Lord
