When I mention fire, I’m not talking about the fires of trials, adversity, or affliction, but a transforming fire. When Jesus came to be baptized by John in Matt.3:10-12, John said.” Jesus would baptize with the Holy Ghost and fire.” Interestingly, Luke records that Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. He did not mention fire ( Acts 1:5). John could be speaking of a future event, and we see in context. Matthew 3:10-12 (NKJV)-10 And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.12 His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” Remember, John is speaking to the religious community of the time. The great need for the religious leaders and people under the “Law” to repent and receive the appointed messiah, Jesus. The axe( Jesus, The New Covenant) was laid to the fig tree that represented Israel. To the Old Testament law and the Tree of the knowledge of good and evil. The new tree, Jesus, a tree of righteousness, was being established- a true vine, the Lord Jesus! (John 15:1, Isaiah 53:2). They needed to bring forth the fruit of repentance ( Luke 13:6-10). This fire was a future baptism, which we see in verse twelve above. The chaff are unbelievers from believers who are the wheat, the separation of sheep and goats.( Matt. 25:32-33). This fire is like a two-edged sword from the mouth of Jesus. It is the Word of God that separates. ( Rev. 1:16, Hebrews 4:12). Jeremiah 23:29 (NKJV)-29 “Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces? That future judgment is not an option. It will happen! Even our works done on earth will be tried by fire( 1 Cor. 3:12-15). Today is the day of salvation! But what about fire today in the life of a believer?
Fire refines, Malichi calls it a refiner’s fire. Malachi 3:2-3 (NKJV)-2 “But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner’s fire And like launderer’s soap.3 He will sit as a refiner and a purifier of silver; He will purify the sons of Levi, And purge them as gold and silver, That they may offer to the LORD An offering in righteousness. The Word of God is a refiner, Jesus the living Word; it is a launderer’s soap. It is not an option. James 4:8 (NKJV)-8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Again, we read in Isaiah 55:6-7 (NKJV)-6 Seek the LORD while He may be found, Call upon Him while He is near.7 Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; Let him return to the LORD, And He will have mercy on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon. God’s Word is definitely ” Arm and Hammer”, brings”Cheer”, definitely “Purex”, and cleans and freshens like Sunshine- what a “Gain”. Works miracles in hard waters like “Tide”. God’s Word is everything and meets every need!
It is supernatural and transforming, the Word of God’s impact on our thought life and actions. It is the discerner of the thoughts and intents of our hearts ( Hebrews 4:12). It can separate spiritual and carnal. What is faith, and what is not? Apostle Paul talks about the “washing of the water of the Word”( Eph. 5:26). The Word of God refines, cleanses the double-minded into a single-focused mind that is centered on God’s Word. Not having two opinions, vacillating between thoughts and ideas. “Sometimes God is good and sometimes not. Sometimes God loves, sometimes not.” Going back and forth between doubt and unbelief. The wavering mind that is tossed like the waves of the sea. The Word of God judges and discerns our thoughts that are opposed to God’s Word. Separating lies from truth. God’s Word is truth. John 17:17 (NKJV)-17 Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. This is what sanctification is. Separating truth from lies. To purify, to make holy in thoughts and deeds. God’s Word is not an option. Psalm 12:6 (NKJV)-6 The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. ( Psalm. 18:30, Prov. 30:5).
It is interesting that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, as recorded in Acts, refers to tongues likened unto fire. Acts 2:3 (NKJV)-3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. Apostle James says this about the tongue: James 3:6 (NKJV)-6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. Two different kinds of tongue. One is the tongue that is used in a heavenly language of the Spirit, the other the fleshly, carnal tongue that can cause devastation. A spark that sets a whole forest ablaze. How many have been hurt by gossip, slander, lies, and evil speaking? James tells us how powerful the tongue is. James 3:2 (NKJV)-2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man ( mature), able also to bridle the whole body. The way the thoughts and mouth go, the body follows. Good or bad, godly or ungodly. The gift of “speaking in tongues”( Acts 2:4, Mark 16:17), that heavenly language, is a powerhouse. James tells us no man can tame the tongue. James 3:8 (NKJV)-8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Yet a Born Again person, baptized in the Holy Spirit, has a brand new tongue.( Isaiah 28:11-12, 1 Cor. 14:2, 1 Cor 12:4). We can yield our tongue to the Spirit or our carnal flesh. They can be love and peaceful words that edify and build up, or words that tear down and are corrupt.( Eph. 4:29) A Spirit-filled and Spirit-filled temperament person walks, talks differently than someone controlled by their flesh and carnal thoughts and desires.
Fire is not an option when it comes to the Baptism of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. Yes, there is a future judgment of fire, but the Holy fire of God, the Word of God, its refining and washing ability to transform our lives into Christlike people is needed today. Our spirit is perfect and blameless, righteous and holy, but it is getting our minds and actions in line with God’s Word. The Bible tells us our faith is more precious than gold. Gold that is refined in the fire. Where all the impurities are removed. That is the kind of faith God gives us. A faith that is undefiled, pure, and holy that causes us to overcome the world and all of its corruption ( 1 John 5:4-5, 2 Peter 1:1-4). Trials alone don’t make us better Christians, it is the Word of God that we use in the midst of them that makes us overcomers and Christlike.
In closing: 2 Timothy 1:6 (AMP)-6 That is why I would remind you to stir up (rekindle the embers of, fan the flame of, and keep burning) the [gracious] gift of God, [the inner fire] that is in you by means of the laying on of my hands [with those of the elders at your ordination]. The gift of God is the Holy Spirit. We have to fan into flame! We have to stir it up. It is our responsibility. We can’t wait for God to do it for us. This can happen by being filled with the Spirit continually (Eph. 5:18-21), through worship, giving thanks, having a submissive attitude, and through studying and speaking the Word of God. Jeremiah tells us about himself: Jeremiah 20:9 (NKJV)-9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not. We see Jesus on the road to Emmaus talking with disciples: Luke 24:32 (NKJV)-32 And they said to one another, “Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?” Their hearts set on fire, to kindle and be consumed with passion. Going from hardened and dull hearts to a fervent and zealous heart. Fire is not an option! Let the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit have His way in our lives. Let it burn away the chaff of wrong thoughts, ideas, perceptions, lies, and wrong actions. Let us be conformed ( Rom. 8:29)to the image of Christ daily by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God!
In Christ’s love;
Brent and Linda Bushen
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