The Fruit of the Spirit

The Industrial Revolution in the United States lasted from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. This period in our history is characterized by technological advancements, urban migration, a shift from an agricultural economy to an industrial one and exponential growth in overall economic production. Many great achievements emerged from this significant time in our history, such as innovations in steel, oil and electricity, which contributed to the rise of cities; inventions like the cotton gin and the sewing machine, which boosted the production of goods; and revolutions in transportation. However, one negative consequence of the Industrial Revolution that we may not recognize is the shift it created in our cultural ideals.

Prior to the Industrial Revolution, our society operated in what could be considered a “Culture of Character.” We valued qualities such as discipline, integrity, morals, and honor. However, with the growing economy came more goods to promote and services to sell, which gave rise to the American businessman. With an increasing emphasis on business and sales, we adopted a new “Culture of Personality.” Instead of prioritizing qualities of character, we became captivated by traits of personality, such as charisma, charm, attractiveness, influence, and more.

Today, while the Industrial Revolution is long behind us, we continue to live in this Culture of Personality that it created. For proof, consider how often we become infatuated with celebrities or business leaders simply because of their charismatic personalities. Or how we praise others for their talents – how intelligent they are, how skilled they are at public speaking, how attractive, energetic or influential they seem. Of course, there is nothing wrong with having a charming personality or possessing a unique set of gifts, but the challenge lies in not promoting the value of talents over the value of character.

Living in this Culture of Personality can easily influence how we think about things without us even being aware. These values can also surface in the ways we read and apply Scripture. For example, spiritual gifts are a prominent theme that comes up in the New Testament. Through God’s Word, it’s clear that there are definitive gifts that he bestows upon us through the Holy Spirit. Some of these gifts include healing, prophecy, speaking in tongues, teaching, craftmanship, leadership and more. The purpose of these gifts is to help others. However, in addition to the gifts of the Spirit, there is also the Fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22-23, the Fruit of the Spirit is defined as “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

When we read about the gifts of the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit within our own cultural background, it’s probably easy to overemphasize spiritual gifts. We can get caught up in our own giftings or compare them to others, which may leave us feeling insecure or prideful. Being aware of our giftings is beneficial because it can guide us in ways to serve and help others. But we should also strive equally hard to cultivate the Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. We may be the most gifted person in our work or community, but if we’re not exhibiting character qualities, our witness may actually be diminished. So, whatever your giftedness may be, remember that we should always seek to grow more Fruit of the Spirit in our lives. After all, as Jesus says in Matthew 7, we will be recognized by our fruits, not by our gifts!