The Gifts and the Fruit – Power and Character Working Together

(1 Corinthians 12–14)

By Dr. William M. Zeltman III

Walking in the Word Ministries

INTRODUCTION – The Balance of Power and Character

The Church today stands at a crossroads.

On one side, we have believers who celebrate the power of God — miracles, healing, prophecy, tongues — but they often neglect the character of God.

On the other side, we have believers who emphasize character — love, humility, kindness — but they deny the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit.

Yet, the Holy Spirit was never meant to be divided against Himself.

He is both power and purity, fire and fruit, miracle and mercy.

That’s why 1 Corinthians chapters 12, 13, and 14 are perfectly arranged.

Chapter 12: the gifts of the Spirit.

Chapter 13: the fruit of love.

Chapter 14: the proper expression of both.

God placed the love chapter right in the middle of the power chapters, reminding us that the power of God must always flow from the heart of God.

POINT 1: The Gifts of the Spirit Are for Today

Many sincere Christians have been told the gifts of the Spirit were for another time — for the apostles, for the early Church, or for the first century.

But the Bible tells a different story.

On the day of Pentecost, Peter declared in Acts 2:38–39:

“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”

Did you catch that?

“To all who are afar off.” That’s you and me.

Peter didn’t limit the Holy Spirit to one age or generation — he extended the invitation across time and space. If God is still calling people to salvation, then the Spirit is still being poured out!

A Living Promise, Not a Dead Doctrine

Some say that tongues, prophecy, and healing ceased with the apostles.

But if that were true, then 1 Corinthians 14:1 would make no sense. Paul said:

“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”

He didn’t say, remember spiritual gifts — he said, desire them!

The word “desire” in Greek means to burn with zeal.

Why would God command us to burn with zeal for something that no longer exists?

The Holy Spirit didn’t retire after Pentecost. He didn’t fade out in the book of Acts.

He’s alive and active in the 21st century just as He was in the first.

Hebrews 13:8 declares:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

If He healed then, He heals now.

If He delivered then, He delivers now.

If He spoke through prophecy then, He still speaks today.

The Promise Continues

In Acts 19, Paul met believers at Ephesus years after Pentecost. He asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

When they said they hadn’t even heard of the Holy Spirit, Paul laid hands on them, and they were filled and began to speak in tongues and prophesy.

That was decades after Acts 2!

The gifts of the Spirit weren’t a one-time event. They are a continual expression of a living God working through His Church.

In Mark 16:17–18, Jesus promised:

“These signs shall follow those who believe… they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

He didn’t say, “These signs shall follow the twelve apostles.” He said, “those who believe.”

That’s you — that’s me — that’s every believer.

The gifts of the Spirit are God’s equipment for His end-time Church.

We are not meant to limp to the finish line; we are meant to finish with power, fire, and glory!

POINT 2: The Purpose of the Gifts

Now, what’s the purpose of these gifts?

Are they just for excitement, emotion, or entertainment?

No — the Bible makes it clear: the gifts are given for the building up of the Body of Christ and the demonstration of the Kingdom of God.

1 Corinthians 12:7 says:

“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”

That means the gifts are manifestations — visible evidence that God is among us. When you move in the gifts, heaven touches earth.

When you lay hands on the sick, that’s heaven’s medicine being delivered.

When you prophesy God’s Word, that’s heaven’s voice being heard.

When you discern spirits, that’s heaven’s eyes seeing through deception.

The gifts make the Church come alive with divine purpose.

The Gifts Build the Church

1 Corinthians 14:12 says:

“Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the Church that you seek to excel.”

The gifts are God’s construction tools to build His people.

Prophecy strengthens faith.

Wisdom provides divine direction.

Healing restores the broken.

Tongues bring intimacy.

Every gift is designed to edify, not glorify.

The Gifts Confirm the Word

When the disciples preached, God confirmed His Word with signs following (Mark 16:20).

Miracles were God’s “Amen!” to their message.

When you move in spiritual gifts, you’re saying to the world, “This Gospel isn’t theory — it’s reality.”

As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:4–5:

“My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power.”

The world doesn’t need another argument — it needs an encounter with God.

The Gifts Reveal God’s Heart

Every gift flows from compassion. Jesus healed because He was moved with compassion (Matthew 14:14).

He didn’t heal to prove He could — He healed to show He cared.

Every miracle is a love letter from Heaven that says, “I see you. I know you. I’m with you.”

The gifts of the Spirit are not about showing how spiritual we are; they’re about showing how good He is.

POINT 3: The Fruit of the Spirit – God’s Character in You

Let’s turn to Galatians 5:22–23:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.”

Notice, it doesn’t say fruits — it says fruit. It’s one fruit with nine expressions, like facets on a diamond.

The fruit of the Spirit reveals the character of Christ being formed in us.

The gifts show what God can do through you.

The fruit shows what God has done in you.

Gifts are instant; fruit takes time.

Gifts are received by faith; fruit is cultivated by obedience.

Love Is the Foundation

That’s why 1 Corinthians 13 is in the center — it’s the heart of the Spirit-filled life.

Paul said:

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and angels, but have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.”

Without love, the gifts are noise.

Without character, the power becomes chaos.

Love is the soil where the fruit grows, and it’s also the river through which the gifts flow.

When you operate in love, the gifts have life, power, and purity.

POINT 4: Power Without Love Is Dangerous

Paul wasn’t attacking the gifts; he was correcting the attitude behind them.

The Corinthians were gifted but immature. They loved the spectacular more than the spiritual.

They had tongues but no tenderness.

They had prophecy but no patience.

They had miracles but little mercy.

Paul wrote 1 Corinthians 13 to remind them that the gifts must serve people, not impress them.

The Same Issue Today

Even in today’s Church, there are people who use their gifts like trophies.

They want attention instead of transformation.

But when the motive isn’t love, even a true gift can be misused.

Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14:1:

“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts.”

Love and gifts are not rivals — they are partners.

The more love you walk in, the more power you can carry safely.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus healed the sick, raised the dead, and cast out demons — yet He was meek, gentle, and full of compassion.

He operated in perfect balance: power wrapped in humility, authority clothed in mercy.

If we want to be trusted with more of His power, we must first be rooted in His love.

POINT 5: The Perfect Balance – Gifts Empower, Fruit Endures

When the gifts of the Spirit operate within the fruit of the Spirit, ministry becomes unstoppable.

Love keeps power pure.

Joy keeps service fresh.

Peace keeps leadership stable.

Patience keeps ministry steady.

The fruit of the Spirit keeps the fire from burning out of control.

Jesus as Our Example

Jesus displayed this perfect harmony.

He had the gift of healing — and the fruit of compassion.

He had the gift of discernment — and the fruit of gentleness.

He had the gift of faith — and the fruit of patience.

That’s the model for Spirit-filled believers today: to walk in supernatural power with supernatural character.

When people encounter us, they should feel both the power and the personality of Jesus.

POINT 6: Growing in Both Gifts and Fruit

How do we develop in both? The answer isn’t complicated — it’s consistent.

1. Stay Filled Daily

Ephesians 5:18 says, “Be filled with the Spirit.”

In Greek, that phrase means keep on being filled.

You can’t live off yesterday’s encounter. The oil that sustained you last year can’t carry you through this year.

Spend time in His presence daily — pray, worship, pray in the Spirit — and He will keep you overflowing.

2. Walk in Obedience

Acts 5:32 says God gives His Spirit “to those who obey Him.”

When you obey His Word, He entrusts you with more power.

An obedient heart is a powerful heart.

3. Cultivate Intimacy

The gifts flow most purely from intimacy, not from ambition.

The more you know the heart of God, the more accurately you’ll represent Him.

Don’t seek the gifts apart from the Giver.

As you draw close to Him, the gifts will flow naturally.

4. Serve in Humility

The Holy Spirit resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6).

True spiritual authority isn’t loud — it’s low.

The greatest ministers aren’t the ones who perform on stage, but those who serve with tears, prayer, and compassion.

5. Stay Connected to the Vine

Jesus said in John 15:5,

“Apart from Me, you can do nothing.”

Fruit grows only when the branch stays attached to the Vine.

The moment we disconnect from Jesus, our fruit withers and our gifts lose power.

Stay connected through prayer, Word, worship, and holiness.

POINT 7: A Prophetic Call to the Modern Church

We live in a generation that desperately needs to see both the power and the love of God.

The world doesn’t care how many verses we can quote; they want to see a faith that works.

They’re tired of empty religion — they’re looking for real relationship.

They want to see a Church that casts out demons and also feeds the hungry.

A Church that moves in miracles and mercy.

A Church that walks in signs and in servanthood.

The Spirit Is Calling

The Holy Spirit is calling the modern Church back to the full gospel —

not just words, but power;

not just charisma, but character;

not just emotion, but transformation.

A new Pentecost is rising. God is pouring out His Spirit again to unite power and purity in this last hour.

The gifts are being restored, the fruit is being ripened, and the Bride of Christ is being prepared.

This is not the time to shrink back — this is the time to shine forth.

CONCLUSION – Walking in the Fullness

Beloved, the gifts of the Spirit are not a badge of superiority — they are a stewardship of responsibility.

The fruit of the Spirit is not optional — it’s the evidence of true transformation.

Let’s not choose between power or love. Let’s choose both.

When the gifts of power flow through the fruit of love, the world sees Jesus in us.

Let’s be a Church that heals the sick and hugs the broken.

That prophesies truth and walks in humility.

That moves in miracles but carries mercy in every word.

Because the world doesn’t just need a demonstration — it needs a revelation of Jesus Christ through His people.

DECLARATION

Say this with me:

I am filled with the Holy Spirit! The gifts of the Spirit operate through me in power, and the fruit of the Spirit flows through me in love. I walk in wisdom, healing, and discernment. I am rooted in love, joy, peace, and patience. I am a carrier of both the power and the character of Christ. I am His vessel — His hands, His voice, His light in this generation. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

CLOSING PRAYER

Father, thank You for the gift of Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for power that changes lives and fruit that transforms hearts. We ask You to stir up the gifts within us — prophecy, healing, tongues, discernment, faith. Let them flow in love and humility. Grow in us the fruit of the Spirit — love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Make us a people of power and purity, of anointing and integrity. Let the world see Jesus in everything we do. We receive a fresh filling right now — a baptism of love and fire! In Jesus’ mighty name, Amen.

Acts 2:38–39 NKJV

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV

Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.

Hebrews 13:8 NKJV

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Mark 16:17–18 NKJV

And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

1 Corinthians 12:7 NKJV

But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:

1 Corinthians 14:12 NKJV

Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel.

Mark 16:20 NKJV

And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

2 Corinthians 2:4–5 NKJV

For out of much affliction and anguish of heart I wrote to you, with many tears, not that you should be grieved, but that you might know the love which I have so abundantly for you. But if anyone has caused grief, he has not grieved me, but all of you to some extent—not to be too severe.

Matthew 14:14 NKJV

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

Galatians 5:22–23 NKJV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Ephesians 5:8 NKJV

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

Acts 5:32 NKJV

And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

James 4:6 NKJV

But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: “God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.”

John 15:5 NKJV

“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

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The Gifts and the Fruit – Power and Character Working Together

(1 Corinthians 12–14)

There’s divine order in how God arranged 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14.

Chapter 12 talks about the gifts of the Spirit, chapter 13 reveals the fruit of the Spirit—love, and chapter 14 shows how to walk in both.

Paul was teaching us that power without love is dangerous, and love without power is incomplete.

The Church was never meant to choose between spiritual gifts and spiritual fruit. We are called to display both the power and the character of Christ.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

The gifts of prophecy, healing, tongues, wisdom, and faith are beautiful expressions of God’s power. But without the fruit of love, they are lifeless.

At the same time, the fruit without the gifts can’t fully reach the lost or demonstrate the Kingdom. The gifts show what God can do; the fruit shows who God is.

Both are necessary—and both are available today!

As Peter declared on the day of Pentecost:

“The promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39)

If God is still calling people to salvation, then the gifts of the Holy Spirit are still being poured out!

So, let’s walk in both—the fruit that grows through intimacy and the gifts that flow through empowerment. Together, they reveal the fullness of Jesus Christ to a hurting world.

Declaration

I am filled with the Holy Spirit!

The gifts of the Spirit operate through me in power,

and the fruit of the Spirit flows through me in love.

I walk in supernatural wisdom, healing, and discernment,

but above all, I walk in love.

I am a carrier of God’s character and power in Jesus’ name!

Prayer

Lord, thank You for the power of Your Spirit and the beauty of Your fruit.

Let Your gifts flow through us to heal the sick, comfort the broken, and declare Your Word with boldness.

Let Your fruit grow in us to love unconditionally, forgive freely, and serve humbly.

May Your Spirit fill us afresh and make us living examples of Jesus on earth.

In His mighty name we pray, Amen.

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