Fan Into Flame
Have you ever found yourself sitting by a fire and getting lost in thought or even falling asleep? Watching the flame of a fire can calm and relax us or ignite amazing dreams and conversations. But what does the Bible say about that flame in our lives? As I think about a fire, I am reminded about several scriptures that talk about the flame.
Fan into flame
I thank God, whom I serve, as my ancestors did, with a clear conscience, as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
2 Timothy 1:3-6 NIV
In this passage Paul is writing to Timothy and starts with encouragement along with reassurement of his love for the young disciple. I find it interesting that Paul uses the phrase “fan into flame.” He didn’t say, start a fire, build a fire, make a flame from scratch; he said fan into flame, meaning there are already hot coals to billow. The heat is already there, we just have to tend to the fire pit.
All believers have a pilot light. When we accepted Christ as our savior, the pilot light was lit. We build the fire from there. That is what Paul was encouraging Timothy to do. Paul knew Timothy was gifted, and he urged Timothy to cultivate his gift.
We are not told specifically what the gift was. It could have been preaching, prophecy, healing, or any number of things. What we do know is that he was to billow those hot coals so there would be a flame that nobody could ignore. Though there is a danger of billowing too hard . We cannot be so zealous that we become careless.
It only takes a spark
Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
James 3:5-6
Have you ever seen those old Smokey the Bear commercials? Smokey is an American advertising icon of the U.S. Forest Service in the Wildfire Prevention Campaign, which is the longest-running public service announcement campaign in United States history. Smoky was always on TV reminding everyone that wildfires can happen at the blink of an eye, in a split second of carelessness or from a lack of paying attention at campsites. His famous tagline was, “Only you can prevent forest fires.”
I think about Smokey’s caution with James’ warning about the spark. Sparks from fires can get out of control if you build the fire too big or if you billow on it too hard. A stray spark will start a fire you don’t want and will spread faster than you can imagine.
That is what happens with our words. When we use them carelessly, the damage that can happen from that spark may be massive.
So how does all of this tie together? Think of Christ as the pilot light to our faith and Christian walk. Think of the wood that we put on the fire as the gifts God has equipped us with to spread His good news and to disciple others. Think of the billow as the mission we each have individually been given by God. When we are in step with Him and His will, we will billow just the right amount to keep that flame going to be a source of light for those around us. If we billow too hard, go ahead of God, or work without the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, then we can cause a spark to ignite and create irreparable damage.
All Consuming Fire
Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our “God is a consuming fire.”
Hebrews 12:28-29 NIV
The truth that God is a consuming fire is a comfort to us as believers. We realize that the Father poured out His consuming fire of judgment on the Son in our place. When He did, it completely consumed the guilt of sin in all who believe. The penalty of sin was consumed in Jesus at the cross. And now we are white as snow… new life… new growth.
When we think about a wildfire that is out of control and rapidly spreading, we may think of the destruction it leaves behind. Thousands of acres of land scorched. Desolate. But do you know what can also happen? New life. A consuming fire can bring death and life. Eventually that charred ground gives way to new growth. If we think about our lives in the aspect of a controlled burn, sometimes God needs to cause a wildfire in order to correct us and allow us to grow in a more lush and beautiful way.
Paul loved Timothy and was encouraging him to continue on in the work of making disciples of Jesus. As we think about fanning that same flame, pray over these questions as you spend time with the Father.
Is your pilot light lit? Have you received Christ as Savior?
Are you putting wood on the fire and keeping it alive? What gift has God given you?
Are you using your billow? What do you need to fan into flame for His glory and for others to see and experience?
Are you “billowing” too hard? What areas of your life are letting sparks fly that could potentially do damage?
Do you see the beauty of a controlled burn? Do you see new life and new growth in your walk with the Father?
The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie, He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.
Luke 3:15-16 NIV
