Keep the Fire Burning
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. – Acts 2:1-3 NKJV.
In the stone age fire was of vital importance. There were no matches to start quickly another fire. We know it is possible to rub sticks of wood together and if conditions are right start a fire. But those conditions and materials were not always available. As a result, it is believed a fire was constantly kept burning. A spark was always kept alive. That fire, that spark, was constantly guarded to make sure it did not go out.
The fire of the Holy Spirit fell on the disciples in the upper room on Pentecost. The fire has been burning in the hearts of the followers of Jesus ever since. However, the fire must be guarded, or it will be quenched. It is quenched when we disregard our conscience, when we willfully sin, when we give in to selfishness, pride, or any immoral thing.
The fire of the Holy Spirit may also be starved. It is starved when we neglect and fail to take advantage the glorious resources of God through Jesus Christ (Philippians 4:19). We fan the flames when we read and study the Word of God. We fan the flames when we spend time in prayer and when we spend time with other spirit filled believers worshipping our God.
The fire of the Holy Spirit may also be smothered by its own ashes. If we are not actively spreading the fire the ashes build up in our hearts until eventually the light can no longer be seen. We must keep the fire fresh, alive, and brilliant by sharing the fire with others.
The fire has been carefully guarded and maintained over almost 20 centuries. We are now the guardians of the flame. Let the flame not die but blaze in our hearts. Let us be ablaze for God!