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What is the difference between a gift of the Holy Spirit and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. What exactly is St. Paul talking about in the Holy Book of 1 Corinthians 12:9  "faith by the same Spirit”? Are we not all supposed to strive for this kind of faith?

In a general sense, fruit is goodness derived from humbleness and discerning use of one's gifts. Fruit can be viewed as the reward for good works. This can also be said regarding gifts. Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, "Father, Lord of Heaven and Earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and prudent and have revealed them to babes. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight" (Matthew 11:23-26). The babes in this passage refer to the humble.

Gifts of the Spirit are blessings and abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers for the building up of the Body of Christ. They generally serve the good of the entire Church. For this reason they can be discerned from natural gifts or talents. It is written that the Holy Spirit Himself is a "Gift" in the Holy Book of Romans 5:5.

We can mention 10 Specific Gifts of the Holy Spirit that are Biblically documented:

1. The gifts of Prophecy. "Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith" (Romans 12:6).




2. The gifts of Apostleship. "And He Himself have some of the apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers" (Ephesians 4:11).




3. The gifts of healing. "To another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:9). (This is what you are referring to).




4. The gifts of tongues. "To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues" (I Corinthians 12:10).




5. The gifts of interpretation of tongues. "To another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another interpretation of tongues" (I Corinthians 12:10).




6. The gifts of knowledge. "For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit" (I Corinthians 12:8).




7. The gifts of exhortation. "He who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads with diligence; he who shows mercy with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:8).


8. The gifts of teaching "or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching" (Romans 12:7).




9. The gifts of giving. "He who exhorts in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads with diligence; he who shows mercy with cheerfulness" (Romans 12:8).




10. The gifts of faith. "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3).

Further, St Isaac said, "Gifts are not offered for good works themselves, but for the humility by which they are done." He also said "humility is born from sadness and gifts are given for humility. Thus gifts are not given for good works nor for the sadness but because of the humility which is born from it." St Isaac believed that "Pride precedes fall and humility precedes obtaining the gifts."

From the fruits of humility are comfort for the soul, peace for the heart, and indescribable joy.

May God bless you in your quest for spiritual understanding. I encourage you to daily search the scriptures and meditate upon their meaning for your life.