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The Devil a Firefighter?
Often when we think of firefighters we see the dualism of the Christian life and actual firemen. We see ourselves, like firefighters, running out into the entire world with our hoses (of the Word) over shoulder, racing into the raging fires of sin and spraying poor burning sinners down with the Living Water before they are charred. We see ourselves like those brave men who run into dangerous places selfless and with a heroic resolution to leaving no one behind.
Most of us would not put the devil in the firefighter category, but evidence shows that the devil is very much a firefighter at heart, that is, when it comes to keeping the fire of the Lord away from the Christian.
Many times when we think of the fire, from a spiritual perspective, we think about those sinners that are falling into the flames of hell. However, there is a dual purpose for the flames, and the devil is afraid that Christians will come to understand it. He quickly throws his fire prevention equipment on and makes a run for Christians that are getting to close to the holy fire of the Lord.
The devil does not want Christians to find their way into the fire, because he knows that the flames of the Living God will destroy sin, and make holy those who follow Jesus.
Just as in the Old Testament when priests would burn the offerings on the alter before the Lord as a sacrifice; sending up a sweet aroma, when a Christian lays himself on the alter of repentance and obedience God is able to burn away all the sin that is alive in him. As long as we stay on the alter, and do not get off, sin cannot thrive in our lives. What could we do as Christians on fire?
The devil acts as a firefighter by trying to water down the word, using persuasion and temptation to draw men from the flames, and by secretly and strategically offering good things to Christians so that their eyes are not looking at the God things; which can only be found in the holy flames.
Fire by nature burns up those things that are inferior; this is why trash is often burned. Dust is not ever seen on a fire’s flame; it cannot live in the heat. Within God, who is a consuming fire, sin can’t find a habitation that is inhabitable. God has invited us to come into Him- to live in the fire. He has made our hearts home, and has promised us all the needs and tools necessary to be all that He has called us to be. Yet when we choose to step out of the flames of personal conviction, reliance upon God alone, and total and complete obedience, we find ourselves outside the flames, and sin soon finds us as well.
The devil will do everything he possibly can to keep Christians from the flames. He deceives some through shame, others through fear, and many by material possessions. He tries to put out the flames that clean our minds and imaginations by keeping us from consistently applying of the Word to our minds, and watering down what we do know by our own personal opinions.
The devil is indeed in the business of fire-prevention. He has made it his personal goal to stop the fires of the Lord from completely consuming the Church, by putting out each little fire one at a time, person by person.
There in-lies the key to a renaissance of a holy, God fearing, soul winning, worship-filled, righteous living, miracle working Body of Christ. The key is making sure that our individual fires of passion for the Lord are being constantly stirred, and never diminishing due to our stepping out of His flames. The truth is: God is the consuming Fire; He cannot be put out; it is us who put ourselves in danger by stepping out of the flame. So we should plant ourselves deep into the inferno of God’s great love, and stand unmovable. There, the devil cannot put us out.
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
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