Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

So this is my first thread but this is a topic that has plagued me for some time now. Let it be known that I whole-heartedly agree for one to receive the Holy Spirit they must have the initial sign of speaking in another tongue. My issue is most teaching throughout the oneness movement focuses more on making sure we are continually "speaking in tongues" but little on the signs of the fruit of the Spirit being active in our lives.

Personally, we have a lack of teaching to mature the saints and to teach them to live a life filled with the fruits of the Spirit. We hear teaching that says as long as someone comes up and speaks in tongues at the altar that they received a touch from the Lord. But did they really? Jesus cursed the fig tree because from a distance it appeared to be bearing fruit but as he came closer no fruit was found. Are we guilty of possessing a look from afar of having fruit but closer examination reveals that we have none?

So what is your experience or your opinion on the matter?

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

That's not my experience at all. To me tongues will just happen when I am praying. It's not something to seek. Rather I seek to be nearer to Him. Fruit is not much different. As I am growing in Christ, nearer to Him the fruit too are being developed

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

The Biblical answer is to pursue both. The more one prays in the spirit the closer he will be to Yeshua. The closer to Yeshua the more fruit.

There must be teaching for fruit to come forth. The great commission makes it clear from the Lord we are to teach and keep his commandments. We are transformed by the renewing of our minds as we embrace them.

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

The bible says to pursue tongues?

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

1 Corinthians 14:1 says to follow love and desire spiritual gifts.

We are to seek to be used by God in the Spirit.

Fruit of the Spirit:

Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

The fruit of the Spirit are contrasted with the works of the flesh. A life yielded to the flesh is characterised by adultery, fornication, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, heresies (sects), envyings, drunkenness, revellings (partying), etc. Those who do such things are lost.

In contrast to that, the life yielded to the Spirit is characterized by love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, etc. Those who belong to Christ have put to death the flesh with its desires.

I would suggest one does not necessarily need to be 'taught how to have gentleness, goodness, meekness' etc - they are FRUIT - the natural result of the Spirit's control of a person's life. Paul is helping to identify those who have been truly converted and those who have not been. Those truly converted with bear the fruit he speaks of. Those who have not been will be doing the works of the flesh.

These lists are not exhaustive, but exemplary.

The teaching one needs is to be taught to surrender to God and crucify the flesh by faith, allowing the Spirit to sanctify your life. The fruit of the Spirit is a checklist of sorts, allowing you to see where you are in relation to the will of the Father.

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

Tongues is a gift - a gift that we have to seek - but a gift nonetheless. Fruit is something that we have to work on.

That's just what I think.

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

More than that. It commands us to pray in tongues!

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word* of God; 18 with all prayer and requests, praying at all times in the Spirit, and being watchful to this end in all perseverance and requests for all the saints: Eph. 6:17-18

Paul clearly defines what it is to "pray in the spirit".

1 Follow after love, and earnestly desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 2 For he who speaks in another language speaks not to men, but to God; for no one understands; but in the Spirit he speaks mysteries.

To pray in the spirit is to pray in tongues. DO THIS.

But don't forget all the rest.

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

Fruit.

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

This was my issue with upci as well.

To answer your question, the church should seek after fruit. Getting the holy ghost is only the first step.

One mistake upcers make is assuming once members get the holy ghost, everything else will work itself out. I believe fruits of the spirit patience, joy, love, kindness are a CHOICE, not something that spurts out of you the day you recieve the holy ghost.

Re: Should We Be Focused More on Tongues or Fruit?
 

If one is "built up in the faith" he will bring forth more fruit than if he is not.

How can one build himself up in the faith?

20 But you, beloved, keep building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20

And what is praying in the spirit?

14 For if I pray in another language, my spirit prays, but my understanding is unfruitful. 1 Cor. 14:14

Praying in tongues.

Pray in tongues much. Also study the scriptures much and be obedient. You will bring forth much fruit.