Fan the Flame

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good."

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

As Christians, we cannot entirely extinguish the person of the Holy Spirit, who indwells us, but we certainly can dampen the manifestations, gifts, and revelations of the Holy Spirit, if we do not fan the flame. We can squelch or suppress our faith and the faith of others into a lukewarm mediocrity, if we are not diligent to stir up our hearts.

God tells us exactly how to accomplish this. He tells us to pray continuously, to know His precious Scriptures, to preach His word faithfully, and to proclaim Jesus Christ as Savior. We must protect our zeal for the Lord; we must increase our knowledge of God through Bible study, so we may come to know His character more completely and deeply. Indifference suppresses the work of the Holy Spirit, but our steadfastness and eagerness to listen to the guidance of the Helper we have in the Holy Spirit will move our fervor into ardent devotion.

God sent us His Holy Spirit to teach us, tell us of things to come, to abide in us, to empower us as witnesses, to heal us, and to encourage us. We can take these promises to heart, and without hesitations we can fan the flame that indwells us.

Through the Holy Spirit, our faith in that which we hope for, the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our fire for our Heavenly Father may remain ever-burning and brilliant.

Dear Father,

Thank you for the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Let me never quench His fire through my negligence, indifference, or sin. Enable me to fan the flame of my Helper, so your will may be accomplished. Help me be a willing and fervent servant, ever conscious of my actions and inactions. Continue to teach me through the Holy Spirit of your character, your promises, and your precious Son, my Savior, Jesus Christ. In His Name I pray. Amen!