THE FIRE IS BURNING

 

As of Wednesday evening, the wildfire burning near Waycross had consumed about 60,000 acres and destroyed 18 homes. Fortunately, there has been no loss of lives and no major injuries. It is believed that the fire started when a downed power line sparked a fire in the extremely dry brush and forest in the area. Imagine something started so small and creating so much destruction.

 

James, the brother of Jesus, talks about such a thing. “Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!” (James 3:5). It is amazing how much chaos and destruction our words can cause. Remember the childhood verse, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” That is just a big lie! Words do hurt. Words can cut deeper than the sharpest knife or sword. Yes, it is a different kind of cut and it is not likely to physically kill anyone, but words do kill. They can kill someone’s spirit or ambition. They can kill a friendship. They can kill the soul. “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment” (Matthew 12:36). Jesus says we will give account for our words. Our words can cause our souls to be eternally condemned to torment in hell.

 

However, there is another kind of fire mentioned in the Bible. “O Lord, You induced me, and I was persuaded; You are stronger than I, and have prevailed. I am in derision daily; Everyone mocks me.8 For when I spoke, I cried out; I shouted, “Violence and plunder!” Because the word of the Lord was made to me A reproach and a derision daily.9 Then I said, “I will not make mention of Him, Nor speak anymore in His name.” But His word was in my heart like a burning fire Shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, And I could not” (Jeremiah 20:7-9). Jeremiah is often referred as “the weeping prophet.” One possible reason for this is the persecution he suffered as a result of proclaiming God’s word. Another possibility is the grief caused by the lack of response to the word from the people. In the context, it seems he had grown tired of the insults and mocking of the people which were in response to his preaching. Perhaps he was tired and discouraged. In verse 9, he makes the decision to just quit. The people were not listening. In fact, they were responding to the message by persecuting the messenger. Jeremiah may have been suffering from what we today call “burn-out.” His solution was “I will not make mention of Him.” It sounds like a good plan. However, it did not work. “His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and could not.”

 

We need to have a fire burning within us. We need to be like Peter and John. In Acts 3, we find them healing the lame man at the temple and then preaching. In chapter 4, we find them arrested and forbidden to teach Jesus. In Acts 4:20, they said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.” The gospel of Jesus Christ needs to be a wildfire within us that cannot be contained; we just can’t help but proclaim it.

 

James speaks of our words as a destructive fire. Jeremiah speaks of a fire within which bursts forth with the saving message of God. Which fire is a part of your life?

--Lamar