After all the instruction on spiritual gifts, Paul says to earnestly desire the higher gifts, such as apostle, prophet, evangelist, and teacher, but that’s not the end. He immediately says that he will show them a more excellent way.

There’s something greater than being able to heal or being used to bring people to Christ or being used to speak the words of God.

He talks about how pointless tongues and prophecy and knowledge are if they aren’t accompanied by love.

If God’s Spirit poured into us is God’s love poured into us, how can people be using these gifts apart from love?

I would say that the gift was given and the person, instead of realizing their total reliance on God, thought they could rely on their gifting. They could move in gifting but they lost sight of God, looking at self, and in doing so, lost love. I will also say that Satan can imitate spiritual gifts. Having spiritual manifestation and gifting doesn’t necessarily mean the person is operating in the Holy Spirit.

However, love is a great indicator that someone is moving in the Holy Spirit. How do they love? Whom do they love? Do they love the least of these? Do they have time for everyone? Are they humble and kind and patient and self-controlled?

What does love look like?

Love in the Spirit looks like kindness and patience and humility. It isn’t rude. It doesn’t insist on having its own way. It’s not irritable. It doesn’t take offence and resent people.

Love believes and hopes and endures. That’s what you have in the Holy Spirit.

Love never fails. It never ends. You don’t run out of patience when you are filled with the love of God through the Holy Spirit.