God’s Presence in Fire (Part 2)
In our last episode, we talked about God’s presence in fire that’s directional and purifying. In this episode, we’re looking at two different types of flames.
1. Fake Fire: Some “fire” in our lives may be the wrong fire. Fake fire always has an element of deception, spiritual misleading, or false worship.
In the book of Leviticus, we see Moses consecrate Aaron and his four sons for priestly service. He spent seven days with them in the Tent of Meeting, anointing them and carrying out sacred rituals for their special service to God as chosen priests. Aaron was the high priest, consecrated by Moses, and his sons were also called into this holy service of priesthood.
In Leviticus 9:22-24 we see Moses and Aaron leave the Tent of Meeting to come out and bless the people. Suddenly, the fire of God comes down and consumes the sin offering on the altar, and all the people fall on their faces in worship.
Leviticus 10: 1-3 shows a turn of events when the two oldest sons of Aaron try to mimic, or copy, the fire of God with something fake. They take their own fire and put it in their own firepans with their own incense. Immediately, they are consumed by fire and die. Tragically, they used carnal means to try and kindle devotion and praise. Here’s what went wrong with their actions:
1. Wrong People: It wasn’t their job to handle the incense, only their father was to touch the holy scent and aroma.
2. Wrong Instruments: They used their own firepans, while the pan of the high priest was the only pan to be used because it was anointed with a special oil. Their pans weren’t anointed.
3. Wrong Timing: The Day of Atonement was the only day the high priest could take the incense to the Holy of Holies. The two sons of Aaron put their own incense into their firepans at the wrong time. This was also a slap to the future atonement of sins—Jesus Christ. No man can do what only God can do.
4. Wrong Authority: Moses and Aaron should have been consulted before they offered something like this. Of course, their leaders would have told them no and tried to stop them, which may have saved their lives had they listened. Many scholars also believe the two brothers were drunk that night, making everything more deceptive and wrong.
How do we see strange or fake fire in our lives today? One author notes a few things to be aware of:
Merely looking for “entertainment” singing rather than true worship.
Teaching without divine leadership is strange fire.
Testimony without personal experience is strange fire.
Offering salvation without the blood of Christ and the cross is strange fire.
The final type of fire is the type that comes after a season of waiting or struggling. This fire empowers us to go forth and do things we never imagined we could do.
Empowering Fire: In Acts 2:1-8 we see the disciples devasted and confused by the crucifixion. Their Savior—gone. Their purpose—gone. Their hope—gone. But they were told to wait…and that’s what they did. On the right day at the right time (the Day of Pentecost, fifty days after Jesus’s resurrection) the empowering fire of God came like tongues of fire and rested upon them, enabling them to speak in languages understood by those listening but not something any of them were trained to do!
Immediately following this, Peter launched into a sermon that enabled 3,000 souls to come to faith in Jesus, empowered by a new fire and new purpose.
What does this type of empowering fire mean for us?
You will have the ability to share your faith and see its impact.
Spiritual, emotional, and physical healing will come to others through your words, prayers, and love.
Your intimacy with the Lord will increase through deeper understanding of his word and the new assignments that fall within where He has led you.
Gutsy Faith Challenge: Look for where a strange fire may be simmering in your life and extinguish it. Ask for the empowering fire of God to live boldly and without fear.
Have thoughts or questions about today’s episode? Message us or leave a comment below.