“The Spirit . . . wants access to every square inch of our souls. There is nothing that is hidden from him. . . . The Spirit, like a hot iron, can straighten out the crumpled areas of your life so you’ll feel no need to hide them.”- Max Lucado
Do not put out the Spirit’s fire.”- 1 Thessalonians 5:19 (International Standard Version)
Max Lucado concludes Chapter 8 of Help is Here with three blessings of the Spirit’s fire – to purify/refine, energize, and protect.
1. Fire – a purifying/refining force. We need the cleansing, sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit to prepare us to serve as a His temple. However, at times we find this refining fire unpleasant. Because it comes in the form of discipline or disappointment, setback or loss. Yet, Pastor Lucado exhorts:
“The fire of the Spirit produces ultimate good. Do we not see this in nature? . . . A fire, managed and contained, results in ultimate good for the vegetation. When Jesus baptizes us in the fire of the Spirit, it is so we can bear better and more abundant fruit for him.”
2. Fire creates energy. Consequently, fire combusts, ignites, and moves things. Hence, the Spirit moves us as we look to Him as the source of our effort. Therefore, Max observes, we don’t try our hardest and then turn to God. Instead, we first turn to God, trusting Him to do the work for us and in us. Hence, as the apostle Paul wrote in Philippians 4:13 (ESV):
“I can do all things through him who strengthens me.”
3. Fire is a protective element. At night, Pastor Lucado reports, the eastern shepherd surrounded his fold with a wall of fire. As a result, the fire kept the wild beasts out – and the sheep safe within. As God said in Zechariah 2:15 (NLT):
“Then I, myself, will be a protective wall of fire around Jerusalem,” says the LORD. “And I will be the glory inside the city.”
Today’s question: “How does the Holy Spirit strengthen out the crumpled areas of your life? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog:” An eyedropper or a tablespoon?”
