The fruit of the Spirit is true evidence that someone has the Spirit. It is possible to be baptized “into the name of the Lord Jesus” but not be baptized into the body of Christ by the Holy Spirit. Water baptism is meant as a sign of salvation, but it does not save you.
The fruit of the Spirit is essential to evangelism. It is part of our arsenal of weapons which are not carnal. Without this fruit it is impossible to preach and pray in the Holy Spirit.
The fruit of the Spirit is given to each new Christian at the time he receives Christ. It is the primary evidence of life in Christ. The Christian has it, and he is commanded to express it. If someone does not have the fruit of the Spirit, he is not a Christian. If he has it and does not express it, he is a disobedient Christian.
*Excerpted from Weapons & Tactics. To purchase, visit ccmbooks.org/bookstore.
