What is fire? How would you describe it? Fire, as we know, is created by a combination of fuel, oxygen and heat. You combine these three elements, ignite them, you create fire. You remove one of these elements and the fire is extinguished. But, in your own words, how would you describe it? Would you say it is something hot that can warm you up or do a lot of damage? Is it something that is not so tangible, a mixture of gases that can do a lot of harm and can get out of control if not managed well?
Here is the dictionary definition: “a state, process, or instance of combustion in which fuel or other material is ignited and combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and flame; a burning mass of material, as on a hearth or in a furnace.” www.dictionary.com
Fires can do a lot of damage if uncontrolled. They have destroyed large buildings and taken lives of people. In hot weather, large fires have been known to ravage large portions of forests, and have been difficult to bring under control.
Fires can also be a good thing. Controlled fires are used to light and warm houses; and, out in the open, have provided warmth while camping. They are also used for cooking in some countries. Also in nature, controlled fires have been beneficial for regenerating forests. Fires are used to purify metals, and to make glass.
Now, I ask, since a fire can get quite large and be very dangerous if not controlled, is it difficult to start? We tell children not to play with matches—why? A fire can be started quite easily and if not controlled, it can do much damage. There is a Christian song we may have heard called, Pass It On. The song begins with the words: “It only takes a spark, To get a fire going, . . “
It only takes a spark to start a fire, and, what is a spark? It is something very small. Something very small can create something very large and destructive like a fire.
A spark is an ignited or fiery particle. It can be created from a match or from a lighter. When a fire is blazing it can throw off sparks also, which could create larger fires. A spark is caused by the friction of two hard surfaces. You can find various definitions, but this is a very familiar term for us. We know what fire is. We know what a spark is.
It could be something small like a cigarette butt that was not quite extinguished and thrown onto some dry grass that starts a large grass fire. A little match, or lighter, can set a fire going. If the fires are not quenched when small, they can very rapidly grow to large astronomical proportions, doing a lot of damage, being quite difficult to bring under control.
The word “fire” is also used metaphorically to mean extreme passion. We could say that Martin Luther was on fire for the truths of the Protestant Reformation.
If someone is on fire for a specific project or issue, they have an extreme passion for carrying out the project. If someone is lazy and you want them to help, you can say that you want to build a fire under them so that they can get the job done.
We can extract many spiritual lessons from these concepts about fire and sparks.
Regarding the truth for the time we are living in, the Lord is hoping to build a fire underneath us to get us to be more passionate about our own salvation and that of our friends and associates. He wants to create a spark within us in order that the fire of the truth can go forth conquering. “The light of Israel shall be for a fire.” Isaiah 10:17
John the Baptist was on fire for his mission and he stated, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.” Matthew 3:11. And truly it is so. Someone baptized with fire is very zealous in sharing the gospel message.
When the Holy Spirit fell on the Day of Pentecost, “there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.” Acts 2:3. We can read of the results—how the believers upon whom it fell, went forth with Holy Zeal, preaching the gospel message. Thousands were baptized in one day. Years later, many lost their lives as martyrs, but the fire burned within their hearts until their dying day.
Fire was used in the sanctuary services in the Old Testament to burn the many sacrifices that were brought for various reasons. The Patriarchs built altars wherever they went and offered animal sacrifices that they burned. Noah offered sacrifices on an altar with fire after the flood. King Solomon offered many sacrifices of animals upon an altar, with fire, at the dedication service of the temple he had built for the Lord. God appeared to Moses through a burning bush. It was a Pillar of Fire that appeared to Ancient Israel at nighttime in the wilderness.
The good and controlled fire is also a cleansing fire. In order to purify metals, like gold, they need to be heated to separate the gold from the dross. The cleansing of man from sin is sometimes compared to fire. This takes place in the Lord’s workshop where He is cleansing sin from repentant sinner’s hearts and creating new hearts. Sometimes it takes fire—holy fire. “Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:13, 15
There is song that goes, “Light Your holy fire, Lord within my heart; Bright may it burn to You amid the dark.” (International Hymnal #697). That should be our desire and prayer.
And another song, ”Be it by water or by fire, O make me clean, O make me clean.” (International Hymnal # 492). We need to accept the Lord’s cleansing in whatever form it comes. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7
Sometimes the trials we go through feel like we are in a fire—being consumed. But if we serve the Lord, the flames will have little effect on us, as with the three worthies who walked in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3:23–25). If we are unfaithful and try to walk on our own, the heat of the flames may feel as though they are consuming us. We are not to fear the good, controlled fire—the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. Although the trials may seem difficult, the Lord will walk with us through the flames.
FIRE OF GOD’S DESTRUCTION
In the past, God has used fire to punish the wicked people. “Then the LORD rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the LORD out of heaven; And He overthrew those cities, and all the plain, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and that which grew upon the ground.” Genesis 19:24–25
God’s people were not exempt from the Lord’s wrath when they were being unfaithful. “Jerusalem a desolation. Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised Thee, is burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste.” Isaiah 64:10–11
FIRE OF SIN
While the fire of God will either cleanse and create new or punish the wicked, the fires of sin only destroy—there is nothing good about the fires of sin. In the sanctuary in the Old Testament, the light of the candlestick was to be kept burning continually with holy fire. The altar of incense had holy fire burning on it, and the priests had to use holy fire in their censers while in the temple. Aaron’s sons, “Nadab and Abihu died, when they offered strange fire before the LORD.” Numbers 26:61. Offering strange fire to the Lord will produce only death.
One little spark of sin, tolerated and left uncontrolled, can create a raging fire. We have a saying, “Give Satan a finger and he takes the entire hand.” If you ignite a spark of evil, and do not control it, the fire of sin starts to ravage the entire being. It can be one simple little sin, but unquenched, it can cause a lot of damage.
“One sin unconfessed and unrepented of, will close for you the gates of the city of God.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 12, p. 40. “The righteousness of Christ cannot cover one unconfessed sin.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 17, p. 241
“Men may have excellent gifts, good ability, splendid, qualifications; but one defect, one secret sin indulged, will prove to the character what the worm-eaten plank does to the ship,–utter disaster and ruin!” –Testimonies for the Church, vol. 4, p. 90
We need the Holy Spirit to enlighten us with holy fire. Only God can light holy fires. The spark of sin is lit by man. When we light our own fires, it is unholy—strange fire. Once the unholy fires are lit, many people then like to walk in their own fires, and we have another saying that says, “You cannot play with fire and not get burned.” Or you can say, “You cannot walk through fires and not get burned.” Do not play with sin (or take it lightly)—you will get burned.
SPARKS OF YOUR OWN KINDLING
There is another saying: “Walking in the sparks of your own kindling.” It comes from the Bible. “Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks: walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of Mine hand; ye shall lie down in sorrow.” Isaiah 50:11. There is ever danger that those who profess to serve the Lord may forsake the heavenly pathway for ways of their own devising as did Nadab and Abihu.
Men naturally want to seek happiness, but often they seek it in the wrong places, thus walking in the sparks of one’s own kindling. “Why then do we kindle a fire, and walk in the sparks of our own kindling? The Eternal has opened up a path for us to travel which leads to the open gates of Paradise. Can we by following our own will and choosing to walk in our own way find a pleasanter path?” –The Present Truth, January 26, 1893
Satan wants you to get burned. He makes the spark look small. He makes the fire feel warm and look good, but Satan’s fire will burn uncontrolled. He tempts many to begin their own fires and then to walk in the flames. He will use you as long as you benefit his cause, and then when you are no longer useful, he will seek to end your life. You will burn in the fire he tempted you to light.
“It is a fearful thing to have great light and blessing, to have many opportunities and privileges, and yet make no saving use of them. Those who do not make a saving use of their opportunities, will be condemned by the privileges God has granted to them; but those who walk in the light will have increased light. Those who have had the light of truth, and yet have failed to walk in the light, are under the same sentence of condemnation as were Chorazin and Bethsaida. Shall not these warnings be heeded? Shall not these admonitions have weight with us? In the near future it will be seen just who have been walking humbly with God, and who have been obeying His orders. Those who have been walking in the sparks of their own kindling will lie down in sorrow.” –Christian Education, p. 240–241. All may look the same in the church today, but one day a shaking will come and those will be shaken out who have lit their own fires and walked in them.
You can read many sources in the writings of the Spirit of Prophecy of ways that people walk in the fires that they have lit. I will quote a few.
Some light fires in their stomach: “Great care should be taken to form right habits of eating and drinking. The food eaten should be that which will make the best blood. The delicate organs of digestion should be respected. God requires us, by being temperate in all things, to act our part toward keeping ourselves in health. He cannot enlighten the mind of a man who makes a cesspool of his stomach. He does not hear the prayers of those who are walking in the light of the sparks of their own kindling.” –Counsels on Health, p. 576
This quote has a serious thought in it. The Lord does not hear the prayers of those who are making a cesspool of their stomach. Does it matter what you eat? Is one little indulgence ok now and then? “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.” 1 Corinthians 3:16–17. Apparently, it seems the Lord does not take lightly the defiling of His temple. One small flame of unholy fire in the earthly sanctuary cost Nadab and Abihu their earthly and eternal life. What will one small indulgence cherished by you, cost you?
Some have lost their way while obtaining a higher education on this earth; taking all honour and glory to themselves for their successes. “In obtaining an education, success is not to be regarded as a matter of chance or destiny; it is from that God who read the heart of Daniel, who looked with pleasure upon his purity of motive, his determination of purpose to honor the Lord. Daniel did not walk in sparks of his own kindling, but made the Lord his wisdom. Divine philosophy was made the foundation of his education. He welcomed the counsel of the Lord. Would that all students were as was Daniel; but many do not see the importance of submitting to divine discipline.” –Fundamentals of Christian Education, p. 193–194
Those who place themselves on the judgment seat, claiming they have a special gift of discernment and judgment about their brethren. “He who opens his heart to the suggestions of the enemy, taking in evil surmisings, and cherishing jealousy, frequently misconstrues this evil-mindedness, calling it special foresight, discrimination, or discernment in detecting guilt and fathoming the evil motives of others. He considers that a precious gift has been vouchsafed to him; and he draws apart from the very brethren with whom he should be in harmony; he climbs upon the judgment seat, and shuts his heart against the one he supposes to be in error, as though he himself were above temptation. Jesus separates from him, and leaves him to walk in the sparks of his own kindling.” –The Review and Herald, March 12, 1895
Some light their own fires by the associates they choose: “Men are walking in the light of the sparks of their own kindling. Those who love and fear God will not descend to the world’s level in choosing the society of the vain and trifling. They will not become charmed with men or women who are not converted. They are to stand up for Jesus, and then Jesus will stand up for them.” –Testimonies to Ministers, p. 86–87
Being subject to your feelings means you are lighting your own fire: “Those who claim to be sons and daughters of God must trust in Jesus always. To do otherwise is to disown that He loves us, and, by going about depressed, covering ourselves with garments of heaviness and mourning, we make a very bad representation of Christ. We virtually say that our Lord is a hard, tyrannical Master. This is lying against the precious Saviour, who gave His own life that He might make it possible for all to believe in Him, and confide in His interest and love for sinful man. . . .
“You do great injustice to my Saviour when you walk as though in the shadow of darkness. You are never to walk in the fire and sparks of your own kindling, subject to feelings and emotions.” –The Upward Look, p. 150
Some light their own fires by their speech: “Lightness, trifling, jesting, and joking are daily practiced. They have not set their hearts to seek Me. They walk in the sparks of their own kindling, and unless they repent they shall lie down in sorrow. ‘Thus saith the Lord: Stand at your post of duty; for I am with thee, and will not leave thee nor forsake thee.’ These words from God I have not dared to disregard.” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 14, p. 108
And: “Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.” James 3:5–6. The tongue is compared to a fire. It is a small organ of the body, but it can defile the entire body; it can begin a large fire.
“All who are to be saints in heaven will first be saints upon the earth. They will not follow the sparks of their own kindling, they will not work for praise, nor speak words of vanity, nor put forth the finger in condemnation and oppression; but they will follow the Light of life, diffuse light, comfort, hope, and courage to the very ones who need help, and not censure and reproach.” –The Review and Herald, August 4, 1891
There are many, many other ways you can kindle your own fires and walk in them. There is much written in the Spirit of Prophecy and the Bible.
The bottom line is: do not start your own fires—let God start His fire in your heart. Do not quench His fire, but keep feeding it with fuel from inspired writings and good works.
God’s final destruction of this earth will be by fire (Revelation 20:14–15). This fire will be for the purpose of burning the filth of this world that Satan has created, and to cleanse it prior to creating it all new for the Redeemed to dwell in. “The end is near. It is not long before the passions of the carnal, selfish heart will be revealed, and every secret thing brought to light. Oh, that angels of heaven would impress upon human hearts the peril of choosing to walk in the sparks of their own kindling, and refusing to walk in the way of the Lord!” –Manuscript Releases, vol. 18, p. 246 (The last sentence ends in an “!” thus, take it seriously)
“We are not to regard God as waiting to punish the sinner for his sin. The sinner brings punishment upon himself. His own actions start a train of circumstances that bring the sure result. Every act of transgression reacts upon the sinner, works in him a change of character, and makes it more easy for him to transgress again. By choosing to sin, men separate themselves from God, cut themselves off from the channel of blessing, and the sure result is ruin and death.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 6, p. 1085. They light their own fires and get burned.
“No one can injure our character as much as ourselves.” –The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, vol. 3, p. 1160
“Whatever position in life we may occupy, whatever our business, we must be humble enough to feel our need of help; we must lean implicitly on the teachings of God’s word, acknowledge His providence in all things, and be faithful in pouring out our souls in prayer. Lean to your own understanding, dear brethren, as you make your way through the world, and you will reap sorrow and disappointment. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and He will guide your steps in wisdom, and your interests will be safe for this world and for the next. You need light and knowledge. You will take counsel either of God or your own heart; you will walk in the sparks of your own kindling, or will gather to yourself divine light from the Sun of Righteousness.”–Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 427
“Everyone is to keep himself separate from the world, which is full of iniquity. We are not to walk with God for a time, and then part from His company and walk in the sparks of our own kindling. There must be a firm continuance, a perseverance in acts of faith. We are to praise God; to show forth His glory in a righteous character. No one of us will gain the victory without persevering, untiring effort, proportionate to the value of the object which we seek, even eternal life.” –Testimonies to Ministers, p. 511
May God help us not to walk in the sparks of our own kindling, as these small sparks can cause large fires and be the reason why we find ourselves separate from God—outside His kingdom. Let God light His fire in your heart. Amen.
Wendy Eaton
“It only takes a spark,
To get a fire going,
And soon all those around,
Can warm up in the glowing,
That’s how it is with God’s love,
Once you’ve experienced it,
You’ll spread His love,
To everyone,
You’ll want to pass it on. . . “
Kurt Kaiser