Paul tells us to be "fervent in spirit." The word fervent means to boil. Not lukewarm. Alive.
But here's what I've learned. Most of us don't lose the fire in one dramatic moment. Something slowly smothers it. Today I want to name what puts the fire out, and what keeps it burning.
The Fire Can Be Quenched
Paul gives one of the shortest commands in the Bible. "Quench not the Spirit."
You quench a fire by throwing something on it. The Holy Spirit doesn't leave a believer. But His flame in your life can be smothered until you can barely feel the warmth.
That's a sobering thought. It also means the fire can be uncovered.
Three Things That Smother a Flame
The first is sin we refuse to deal with. Paul writes, "And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." He's not a force. He's a Person, and He can be grieved.
The second is neglect. You don't have to throw water on a fire to kill it. You just have to stop adding wood. A busy month without Scripture will do what open rebellion never could.
The third is cynicism. It sounds wise. It says, "I've seen it all before." But a heart that refuses to be moved eventually can't be.
Sin, neglect, and cynicism. Three wet blankets.
When the Word Gets in Your Bones
Jeremiah had every reason to quit. He was mocked, beaten, and thrown in stocks. He said, "I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name."
Then he admitted what happened next. "But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay."
He tried to put the fire out. He couldn't.
That's what the Word does when it really gets inside you. It doesn't just inform you. It ignites you.
Burning Hearts Come From Being Near Him
After the resurrection, two discouraged disciples walked to Emmaus with Jesus and didn't recognize Him. Later they said, "Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?"
Notice what lit their hearts. Not a crowd. Not a song. Jesus, opening the Scriptures, on an ordinary road.
You can't work up fire. You can only get close to the One who is fire.
Fervent Isn't Loud
Some of you are quiet by nature. Fervent doesn't mean loud. It means alive.
Paul pairs it with "Not slothful in business" and "serving the Lord." Fire shows up in diligence and in service. A burning heart works faithfully and loves practically.
Tomorrow you'll bring to the altar whatever has been smothering the flame. Today, pull the blanket back and add some wood.
He's not done with your fire.
Today's Challenge
Read Luke 24:13-35 slowly today, the whole Emmaus road story. Before you start, ask Jesus to open the Scriptures to you. Afterward, write down one sentence that stirred you and one wet blanket you need to remove. Deal with that one thing today.
5 Around
Fire spreads. When God stirs your heart, the people around you feel the warmth.
So today, send this devotional to five people, one at a time. Not a group text. Five names, five personal messages.
Think of someone who still believes but stopped feeling it. Someone who's gotten a little cynical. Someone who used to be on fire.
You might text: "I read this today about what quietly puts out the fire in our faith and how Jesus lights it again. You came to mind, and I'm praying for both of us."
Prayer
Father, I don't want to quench Your Spirit. Show me the sin, the neglect, and the cynicism that have smothered the flame, and help me pull them off. Jesus, walk with me on my ordinary road and open the Scriptures to me until my heart burns again. Holy Spirit, make me fervent in spirit, diligent, and serving You. In Jesus' name, amen.
Reflection
- Which of the three is smothering my fire most: unconfessed sin, neglect, or cynicism?
- When was the last time my heart burned while I read Scripture?
- What would it look like for my fervency to show up as diligence and service this week?