Hi Gemma,I do have a question about the person having the gift of prophecy and/or tongues - do the fruits (based on Gal 5:22-23) have to be completely manifested in that person?
I'm only specific about the two gifts since they can be seen and heard at the same time . And, I've encountered some people that have gift of tongues but I do wonder about something else in them. I just found out that two people in our church have the gift of prophecy and I can attest that the other one has the fruits mostly, if not entirely. The other one intimidates me but maybe it's just me since she doesn't know my story.
I don't know somebody who has the gift of interpretation of tongues although it is also an obvious gift.
If the fruit of the Spirit were completely manifested in a person, that person would be perfect. None of us would qualify to move in the gifts of the Spirit by that standard! Whilst we certainly should be growing in the fruit of the Spirit, God of necessity gives His gifts to imperfect people.
With prophecy, the fruit we need to be looking at is not necessarily the fruit in the life of the person bringing the prophecy, but what the prophecy produces in the hearers. We need to ask, "If I accept this word, will it bring me closer to the Lord or take me away from Him?"
blessings,
Lynn