Stir Up The Gift Of The Holy Spirit (Turn The Embers Into Flames)
We sing a song that says, “Light up the fire and let the flames burn” and that pretty much describes the meaning of stirring up the gift of God that is within you (The Holy Spirit)…
So let’s take a look at what it means to stir up the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (2 Tim 1:6-7)
Interestingly this is the only place in the New Testament that this phrase is used. Stir up can be found elsewhere such as in 2 Peter and the book of Acts however they are not from the same Greek word that is used 2 Timothy.
That thou stir up is translated from the Greek word (anazōpyreō ) and means… to kindle up, inflame one’s mind, strength, zeal.
As in the remains of a fire, embers… that by which the fire is kindled anew or lighted up, a pair of bellows (bellows were used to blow air into a fire, ie. stoking up the fire with the bellows)
So basically blow air onto the embers until they become flames again.
To gain strength.
Acts 2:1-4 – When the day of Pentecost come and they were filled with the Holy Ghost. Wind and fire were involved.
Jesus Baptizes Us With The Holy Ghost And Fire
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: (Mat 3:11)
The word spirit is the Greek word (pneuma) and it can mean… Spirit, wind, breath, a movement of air (a gentle blast).
So once again we see wind and fire.
And we are to stoke up the fire – this precious gift that is inside us.
I have spent many nights out in the bush or fishing all night on a beach and some of the nights have been with a fire and some without.
Depending on the time of year if it was cold the nights without a fire took forever. If you happened to get a bit wet you would freeze and you just couldn’t wait for daybreak. A long, long, miserable night.
Daybreak would come and your hopes would revive a bit but then you still had endured an hour or two of it being even colder.
Without a fire it is dark, it is cold, you stumble around, you have to keep moving or you freeze, there’s no joy, and it’s a real battle.
But with fire, it is totally different. You have light, warmth, people are happy around the fire, and the night goes a lot faster. You can even sleep or rest by the fire.
Have you ever been around a fire that’s almost out and everyone tries to get it going again? You blow on it, fan it, stoke it, stir it up, a bit of panic or frustration can kick in if the embers don’t flare-up.
But the excitement from everyone when those embers finally ignite and that fire begins to flare up. Saving a fire from going out is something that can only be experienced to know how it feels.
The point is the world is in darkness, it is cold (not much forgiveness out there), and if we are down to just embers inside, we are going to be in for a long cold miserable time and it will seem like it is never going to end.
Remember my story about getting wet when fishing without a fire, well if we don’t have our fire going, the first bit of persecution, or something that goes against us, will be so hard to endure.
We can choose to go through what we think are the last days with a fire or with just embers. (I personally believe it’s going to get worse because it’s always darkest before the dawn).
A fire will attract others to the light, provide warmth, forgiveness as opposed to the cold, a place where people can be fed, and a place where they can find rest.
The Best Way To Stir Up This Fire Is By Praying In The Holy Ghost.
But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. (Jude 1:20-21)
So Build Up Yourselves
To build means to finish a structure of which the foundation is already laid.
In the context of fire… we have been filled with the Holy Ghost and fire.
The foundation is there. Wind and fire have been provided. Build up that fire.
How…
By praying in the Holy Ghost
By keeping yourselves in the love of God
By looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Interestingly the word look also means to accept, willingly take. It involves everything from looking for, anticipating, receiving, accepting, and taking.
We are told to:
Look for the mercy of God
Accept (not to reject) the mercy of God
Take the mercy of God
The world is dark, the world is getting colder, we can stay warm in the light of fire by stirring up the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Allan Wilson is the creator of the Scriptural Thinking Affirmations Package. Featuring over 200 minutes of mp3 audio Bible affirmations complete with background music. The package comes with the original affirmations PDF ebook and many bonus affirmation Bible studies as well. The affirmations are designed to help you call to remembrance all of the wonderful benefits of being in Christ and the marvelous privilege of being a child of God.
