Here Is One Great Mystery Of The Fire Of The Holy Spirit

Fire is an element that, from a spiritual perspective, symbolizes the Holy Spirit. There is something truly transformative and inspiring about the fire of the Holy Spirit, a topic we will explore in this article.

1. Why Is The Holy Spirit Associated With Fire?

Have you ever observed how a fire instantly draws attention? A house ablaze is impossible to overlook, and who can resist the warmth of a crackling fire on a cozy night?

Fire has a magnetic quality. Similarly, in Scripture, when the Holy Spirit is depicted as fire, it serves as a powerful symbol of God’s way of capturing people’s attention and drawing them closer to Himself. 

Let’s look at five biblical accounts that highlight the fire of the Holy Spirit.

1.1 Elijah And The Prophets Of Baal

The prophet Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal in a contest to determine which god would accept and consume a sacrifice. This account is recorded in 1 Kings 18:20-40.

People of Israel gathered to witness the battle of the gods, where the prophets of Baal kicked off, praying and chanting to their god to consume the sacrifice. But nothing happened, they cried out to Baal even cutting themselves so that Baal would hear them. Yet still, nothing happened, this continued until midday. 

Then Elijah, the prophet of the Most High God’s, turn came. He prayed to God that He would prove that He is the one and only true God. Immediately, God sent fire to onto the sacrifice to consume it.

1 Kings 18:38 NLT

Immediately the fire of the LORD flashed down from heaven and burned up the young bull, the wood, the stones the dust. It even licked up all the water in the trench. 

This was indeed a spectacle of wonder, that all people who saw this bowed down on the ground and declared in 1 Kings 18:39, “The LORD – He is God! Yes, the LORD is God.”

1.2 Moses And The Burning Bush

The famous account of Moses and the burning bush highlights the attractive nature of the fire of God. 

Exodus 3:2 NLT

There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a blazing fire from the middle of a bush. Moses stared in amazement. Though the bush was engulfed in flames, it didn’t burn up.

This sight caught the undivided attention of Moses who was amazed as he stared at the burning flames. 

When God spoke, Moses showed no hesitation in acknowledging that the voice emanating from the flames was divine; in fact, he covered his face out of fear of looking directly at God (Exodus 3:6).

1.3 The Holy Spirit Comes Down On Day Of Pentecost

On the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came upon all believers.

Acts 2:4-5 NLT

Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

The bible further records that Jews from every nation came running and were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

People were amazed and perplexed at the wonderful things believers were speaking in their own languages.

The tongues of fire through the Holy Spirit, garnered the attention of the people who were gathered. It resulted in Peter delivering His first sermon. Thereafter, about 3000 people being baptized and added to the church (Acts 2:41).

1.4 Shadrach, Meshach And Abednego In The Fiery Furnace

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego were Hebrew men who vehemently refused to bow down to the statue of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon (Daniel 3:16-18). This angered the king that he ordered them to be thrown into a blazing furnace.

But to his shock and amazement, he saw four men, unbound, walking in the fire unharmed, and the fourth man looked like a god (Daniel 3:25). 

Eventually the three young men stepped out with no evidence that they had been in a blazing furnace. This amazing occurrence brought attention to the king, his advisors, governors and all executive members of his kingdom.

In the end, God was glorified with king Nebuchadnezzar praising the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego before the entire kingdom of Babylon (Daniel 3:28-29). He further boldly declared that the is no god like Him. 

1.5 The Fire Of The Temple

In the old testament God instructed the building of an altar. And this is were animals would be brought for sacrifice for the atonement of sin.

God also specifically instructed that the fire at the alter must never die out. Because the fire burning is symbolic of the presence of God.

Leviticus 6:13 NLT

Remember, the fire must be kept burning on the altar at all times. It must never go out.

As long as the presence of God was kept by assuring the fire on the altar burns incessantly, the people would be assured of the ongoing presence of God.

2 . What Does The Fire Of The Holy Spirit Mean For Us Today?

We have observed in the preceding examples that the fire of the Holy Spirit or the fire of God brings amazement to the onlookers, and God is eventually glorified.

The presence of the Holy Spirit showcases the power of God, so that people may witness His glory, thus drawing more people into the Kingdom of God.

Acts 1:8 NLT

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witness, telling people about me everywhere – In Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

It is no wonder Jesus also referred to believers as the light of the world, who are likened to a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). We possess the fire of the Holy Spirit, ever burning in our hearts, and bringing glory to God before all people.

3. How To Keep The Fire Of The Holy Spirit Burning

Fire, lest it be poured oil or given wood and other materials to consume will die out. The same is true for the fire of the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote:

1 Thessalonians 5:19 NLT

Do not quench the Holy Spirit.

Other translations use the words, stifle, extinguish, and smother. This in essence means we must keep the fire of the Holy Spirit ever burning, its flame should never turn blue, but burn ever so brighter until Christ Jesus, our Lord, returns. 

We are to be like the 5 wise bridesmaids, in the Parable of the Ten Bridesmaids (Matthew 25:1), who had enough oil to keep their lamps burning with fire as they waited upon the Lord.

Now here are four ways to keep this holy fire burning in our lives.

3.1 Die To Self

As believers, we a called to be living sacrifices unto God. This is a call to die to the self, so that the fire of the Holy Spirit may consume our lives just as it would consume the body of the sacrificial animals on the altar.

This is a daily process in the life of the believer, which Christ referenced in Luke 9:23, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross daily, and follow me.”

Paul also expressed the same sentiments in his letter to the church in Rome.

Romans 12:1 NLT

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.

More on this topic can be found in the article – Discover The Remarkable Way On How To Die To Self.

3.2 Study The Word

The word of God deepens our faith in Him. We live a holy life expecting the fulfillment of His promises, contained in His word, manifesting in our lives.

Joshua 1:8 NLT

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

3.3 Prayer And Fasting

Prayer and fasting bring us so much closer to God, that our lives are marked by miracles, signs and wonders as the Holy Spirit works so powerfully within us.

Mark 9:29 NKJV

So He said to them, “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.”

3.4 Refrain From Sin

Sin limits the work of God over our lives, it prevents us from truly manifesting the power and glory of God.

Hebrews 12:1 NLT

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.

4. Concluding Summary On The Fire Of The Holy Spirit

• The fire of the Holy Spirit brings attention of people to God’s miracles, signs and wonders (Acts 2:22).

• The Holy Spirit evokes expressions of amazement, bewilderment, awe and more from all people as it showcases the mighty power of God.

• Believers possess the Holy Spirit and can enhance His power by dying to the self, studying the word of God, prayer and fasting, and righteous living.

• The Holy Spirit is God’s gift to people (Acts 1:4), He enables us to function as true children of God – holy and acceptable before His sight.