Igniting the Fire
- Noah Olson
- Apr 4
- 3 min read
Zeal is defined by Merriam Webster as an “eagerness and ardent interest in pursuit of something.” The word occurs 16 times in the Bible. The Greek word is zelos and it resembles the above definition and can also mean “fierceness of indignation.”[1] Another word is zeo. Interestingly, zeo, translated “fervent” in Romans 12:11, means to boil. This boiling illustrates the spiritual zeal that God’s people are to have while walking on this earth. Some may have a fire but it is too dim, others may not have begun to light their fire, and a few may have a fire that illuminates others’ paths. What does your fire look like?
Is the Fire Dim (1 Kings 19:10)? The word translated “jealous” would better be translated “zealous.” Elijah’s fire for God was dim. He had a death warrant from the wicked Jezebel, so he fled and went into hiding. Elijah’s spiritual fire dwindled as he sought to give up. Sometimes our fire can grow dim during our aflame. It might be due to:
Loneliness. Elijah assumed he was all alone. Fix this by associating with others.
Failure. Elijah assumed he was a failure. He had little success in turning all of Israel. Fix this by assuring oneself that God is the increaser (1 Corinthians 3:6) and that failure is not an adequate reason for cessation.
Fear. Elijah was being hunted and his life at stake. Fix this by trusting in God. Fear and zeal cannot be present at the same time.[2]
If the fire is dim “be zealous therefore, and repent” (Revelation 3:20). Lethargic and dim fires have no place in God’s camp (Revelation 3:14-18). Ignite the fire by prayer, study (Luke 24:32), evangelism, and service.
Is the Fire Getting too High? Fire is good, but it can grow too large. Some fires grow so big that they ruin everything around them. Spiritually, this can happen too. While we should not be content with minimalistic fervor, nor urge people to not be too zealous for God, sometimes our fires may grow so large so quickly, that we risk result of being burnt out! Many inexperienced and young people can often face burnout.[3] Elizabeth Saunders suggested six causes of burnout:
Overwhelming responsibilities.
Feeling out of control.
Not perceiving the rewards for your labor.
The environment.
Unfair treatment.
Mismatching of values.[4]
Some of, if not all of these can also be seen in the lives of Christians. Perhaps one was so excited about a program only then to feel burdened by its responsibilities. Maybe one worked so hard in evangelism that she feels exhausted and in need of a break. It would be wise to correct burnout by:
Sharing responsibility (Exodus 18:14-18; Acts 6:1-7).
Taking breaks (Mark 6:31).
Surrounding yourself with encouraging people who want to help you (cf. Hebrews 3:13a).
Pacing yourself.[5]God expects us to have a well-lit fire—but He knows it won’t begin that way. Cultivate the fire little by little by growing day by day.
In starting fires, the temptation is to pour a good amount of gasoline on top. This only will give you a fire for a few seconds, only to be dispelled later. Careful, slow attention should be given to a fire so that it can be healthy and lit for the Master’s use.
Is the Fire Fueled by Unhealthy Fuel (Romans 10:2)? Some fuel is toxic and not to be used to start fires. While it may ignite, the fumes of the fire will cause others to be sick. Some have zeal “but not according to knowledge.” They may have the emotional fervor for God, but they lack the authority behind it. Thomas Fuller said, “Zeal without knowledge is fire without light.” Paul was zealous but his fire was destroying the forest of the church (Galatians 1:14; cf. Acts 8:1-3). Many think their zeal equals acceptance (John 16:2), but such is a personal lie. Multitudes will be lost, not for their fervent zeal, but for their lack of it being fueled by doing the right things (Matthew 7:21-23). Some are so proud of their own zeal that they fall into sin too[6] (2 Kings 10:16).
Instead, let it be said that we are “zealous for God (Numbers 25:13) for He has called us to be “zealous of good works” (Titus 2:14). So, how’s your spiritual fire?
Endnotes
[1]Thayer.
[2]Allen Webster.
[5] Forgotten source
[6]David Guzik.
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