The Flames We Fan

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth.”

James 3:5

I recently completed my reading of Patricia Haley’s Blind Faith. The main character of the novel, Courtney, journeys through sustaining faith as she looks to God on purpose and fulfillment on matters of the heart. When she finds her soulmate who is a God-fearing character and feels God’s anointing on their relationship, ethnic differences stare up waves of opposition in both individual’s families.

Amidst the chaos, Courtney comes to grip with her beliefs and the personal role she has in upholding racial and cultural separation. She then chides herself on the flames she has helped to fan overtime.

So there is was, “the flames we fan.”

All through scripture we read about how God used fire to show himself to his people as well as to show his magnitude to enemies of his children.

For our God is a consuming fire,” says Hebrew 12:29.

So I ask you today friend, what flames have you been fanning with your thoughts, deeds, and words? Are you fanning the flames of God’s fire for you and in you? Or the flames that kindle his fire against sin?

Because the very same fire that gave Isreal light in darkness, consumed thousands of them along the way when they rebelled against God in forgetfulness and disobedience.

Listening to someone vent negatively about an offense of another, without using God’s wisdom to put out the anger in them, is fanning a flame of that anger.

Partaking in the killing of someone’s character is fanning a flame of malice and gossip. (check out ARE YOU A KILLER? series)

Giving and accepting reasons why unjust matters like racial separation and practices of hate are valid, is fanning the very flame that ignites hate.

In the same token, using your tongue to bless rather than pray against people, is fanning a flame of forgiveness.

Showing compassion and generosity to others, is fanning a flame of love.

Seeking God diligently through his word and communing with the spirit, is fanning a flame for God’s wisdom.

Friend, I am telling you what the enemy knows to be true – the flames we fan each day will either be for God’s glory toward us, or his glory against sin. So we must be careful in the flames we fan. We ought not to fan the flames of God’s fire in weakness or recklessness because it is indeed almighty and powerful.

My prayer for us today that God’s mercy finds us with forgiveness for the flames we have fanned in disobedience, both knowingly and unknowingly. May God stir in us the fire to not only get to know him better, but to also proclaim his great works all over the earth in Jesus name. Amen.