Guarding the Divine Fire Within Us
Summary
Praise the Lord, for He is worthy to be praised! Today, the focus is on the vital importance of guarding the fire—the zeal, passion, and hunger for God that the Holy Spirit ignites within us. This fire is not something we create on our own; it is a divine work, a treasure placed in us by God Himself. Just as we marvel at God’s outward works in creation and history, we must also deeply value His inward work in our hearts. The transformation, the desire to pursue holiness, and the ongoing conviction to grow in Christ are all evidence of the Spirit’s activity. These are not to be taken for granted or treated lightly.
It’s easy to become complacent over time, to let spiritual disciplines slip, and to allow our fire to dwindle. Personal experience has shown how easy it is to fall into a lukewarm state, simply going through the motions without true passion. But God, in His mercy, can rekindle that fire, often in unexpected ways. The story of Moses and the burning bush reminds us that God is the one who initiates the fire, and it is our responsibility to steward it well.
The “solid six” disciplines—prayer, community with like-minded believers, God’s Word, intimacy with God, sound biblical teaching, and avoiding distractions—are essential to maintaining and protecting this fire. Neglecting even one can lead to a slow fade, a gradual decline that often starts with withdrawing from community. The enemy works subtly, and spiritual decline rarely happens overnight. It is through self-discipline, commitment, and intentional choices that we guard what God has done in us.
Every desire to grow, every conviction to repent, every hunger for God is a sign of the Spirit’s work. We must recognize, receive, and respond to this work by valuing it above all else. Just as we protect what we treasure in life, so must we protect the treasure of the Holy Spirit’s work in us. Ask yourself in every situation: is this wood or water for my fire? Choose what fuels your passion for God, and guard your fire with diligence and gratitude.
Key Takeaways
- The fire of passion for God is a divine gift, not a human achievement. It is God who initiates and sustains the zeal within us, and our role is to steward and protect it. Recognizing that this fire is a work of the Holy Spirit should lead us to value it above all earthly treasures. [21:30]
- Spiritual complacency is a real danger, often creeping in slowly as we neglect spiritual disciplines. Even when we are not actively sinning, simply going through the motions can lead to a loss of passion and purpose. God is able to rekindle our fire, but we must be honest about our condition and seek Him earnestly. [25:24]
- The ongoing work of the Holy Spirit in our lives is as miraculous as any outward act of God. Transformation, conviction, and the desire to pursue holiness are not natural to us; they are evidence of God’s grace. We must not take these inner workings for granted, but instead, treasure and guard them diligently. [34:32]
- Community with like-minded believers is often the first discipline to be neglected, and this usually marks the beginning of spiritual decline. Isolation makes us vulnerable, while genuine fellowship strengthens and encourages us to remain steadfast. Guarding your fire means prioritizing relationships that fuel your faith and holding each other accountable. [48:22]
- Every choice we make either adds wood to our spiritual fire or pours water on it. Discernment is needed to evaluate our activities, relationships, and habits—are they fueling our passion for God or quenching it? Self-discipline and commitment are essential, and we must be vigilant against the slow fade that leads to spiritual coldness. [57:37]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Why We Praise the Lord
[02:10] - Prayer for God’s Presence and Guidance
[04:00] - Guard Your Fire: The Call to Value the Spirit’s Work
[07:30] - What Is the Fire? Zeal and Passion for God
[10:45] - Recognize, Receive, Respond
[13:00] - Treasuring God’s Work Above Earthly Things
[15:30] - Personal Story: Losing and Regaining Spiritual Fire
[21:30] - God Is the One Who Lights the Fire
[29:39] - Marveling at God’s Works: Outward and Inward
[34:32] - The Miracle of Spiritual Transformation
[41:00] - The Danger of Spiritual Complacency
[44:29] - The Slow Fade: Stories of Lost Fire
[47:26] - The Solid Six: Essential Spiritual Disciplines
[52:13] - The Consequences of Neglecting Spiritual Disciplines
[56:41] - Do We Really Value the Spirit’s Work?
[57:37] - Wood or Water: Choices That Affect Our Fire
[59:42] - Guarding Your Fire in Everyday Life
[01:01:21] - Closing Exhortation and Prayer
Study Guide
Small Group Bible Study Guide: Guard Your Fire
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### Bible Reading
1. Ezekiel 36:26-27
"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them."
2. 2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
3. Hebrews 3:12-14
"Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called 'Today,' lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end."
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### Observation Questions
1. In Ezekiel 36:26-27, what does God promise to do for His people, and what is the result of this promise?
2. According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, what changes when someone is in Christ?
3. In Hebrews 3:12-14, what warning is given to believers, and what role does community play in this passage?
4. The sermon described the “solid six” disciplines. What are they, and why are they important for guarding your spiritual fire? ([48:22])
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### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does God emphasize giving a new heart and spirit in Ezekiel 36:26-27? What does this say about our ability to change on our own?
2. The sermon says that the fire for God is a divine gift, not a human achievement. How does this understanding affect the way we approach spiritual growth? ([21:30])
3. Hebrews 3:12-14 warns about the deceitfulness of sin and the importance of exhorting one another daily. How might isolation make someone more vulnerable to spiritual decline? ([52:13])
4. The “solid six” disciplines are described as essential. What might happen if even one of these is neglected, according to the sermon? ([52:13])
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### Application Questions
1. The sermon asked, “Do we really value the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts?” How can you tell if you are truly valuing and protecting what God is doing in you? ([56:41])
2. Think about your current spiritual disciplines. Is there one of the “solid six” (prayer, community, God’s Word, intimacy with God, biblical teaching, avoiding distractions) that you have been neglecting? What is one step you can take this week to strengthen that area? ([48:22])
3. The pastor shared a personal story about losing and regaining his spiritual fire. Have you ever experienced a season of spiritual dryness or complacency? What helped you come out of it, or what could help you now? ([25:24])
4. The sermon used the phrase “wood or water” to describe choices that either fuel or quench your spiritual fire. What is one activity, relationship, or habit in your life that acts as “water” on your fire? What is one that acts as “wood”? How can you make more choices that add “wood” this week? ([57:37])
5. Community with like-minded believers was highlighted as the first discipline people often neglect. How can you be more intentional about building or maintaining spiritual community? Is there someone you need to reach out to or reconnect with? ([52:13])
6. The sermon said that spiritual decline is usually a “slow fade.” What are some early warning signs in your own life that your passion for God might be fading? How can you respond before it becomes a bigger problem? ([59:42])
7. Every desire to grow, every conviction to repent, every hunger for God is a sign of the Spirit’s work. How can you remind yourself to treasure and respond to these moments instead of taking them for granted? ([34:32])
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Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Ask God to help you recognize, receive, and respond to His work in your life. Pray for strength to guard your fire and for the discipline to pursue the “solid six” with gratitude and commitment.
Devotional
Day 1: God Is the One Who Lights the Fire
The passion and zeal we have for God is not something we manufacture on our own; it is God Himself who initiates and sustains the fire within us. Just as Moses did not start the burning bush, but God did, so too is it the Lord who sparks spiritual hunger, drive, and motivation in our hearts. We must recognize that our desire for Him, our thirst for His presence, and our excitement for the things of God are all evidence of His divine work in us. This realization should humble us and cause us to value and protect the fire He has started, knowing it is a precious gift that only He can give. [28:25]
Exodus 3:2-4 (ESV)
And the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed. And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.” When the Lord saw that he turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.”
Reflection: Can you recall a time when God unexpectedly reignited your passion for Him? How can you intentionally recognize and thank Him for sparking that fire in your life today?
Day 2: Marvel at God’s Inward Work as Much as His Outward Miracles
We are quick to marvel at God’s mighty acts in creation and history, but His ongoing, inward work in our hearts is just as miraculous and worthy of awe. The transformation, regeneration, and molding He does within us—making us new, giving us a heart of flesh, and putting His Spirit within us—are works that only the living God can accomplish. These inward miracles are evidence of His love and personal attention to each of us, and we are called to value and treasure them above all earthly things. [34:32]
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (ESV)
And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.
Reflection: In what ways have you seen God’s transforming work in your heart recently, and how can you honor and treasure that work above the temporary things of this world?
Day 3: Guard Your Fire Through Spiritual Disciplines and Community
The fire of God within us can dwindle if we neglect the foundational disciplines He calls us to—prayer, community with like-minded believers, God’s Word, intimacy with Him, sound biblical teaching, and avoiding distractions. These “solid six” are not just religious routines but are means by which we guard and fuel the fire God has started. When we grow slack in these areas, our passion fades, but when we commit to them with self-discipline and intentionality, we thrive spiritually and remain steadfast. [48:22]
Hebrews 3:12-14 (ESV)
Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
Reflection: Which of the “solid six” disciplines do you most need to recommit to this week, and what practical step can you take today to strengthen your spiritual fire?
Day 4: Value and Protect the Work of the Holy Spirit in You
There is a treasure within you—the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. This treasure is more valuable than any possession, title, or achievement. We are called to recognize, receive, and respond to His workmanship by guarding it diligently. Just as we protect what we value most, we must be vigilant to protect the Spirit’s work in us from anything that would diminish or quench it, choosing what adds “wood” to our fire and avoiding what pours “water” on it. [57:37]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Reflection: What is one distraction or influence in your life that acts like “water” on your spiritual fire, and how can you set a boundary or make a change to protect the treasure of the Holy Spirit’s work in you?
Day 5: Self-Discipline and Commitment Are Essential to Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth and steadfastness do not happen by accident; they require intentional self-discipline and commitment. Even the apostle Paul recognized the need to discipline his body and bring it under control so that he would not be disqualified after preaching to others. In the same way, we must actively guard our fire, making daily choices that align with God’s call and refusing to let complacency or compromise take root. The slow fade away from God happens through small, unchecked choices, but a life of discipline and commitment keeps the fire burning bright. [44:29]
1 Corinthians 9:27 (ESV)
But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to exercise greater self-discipline for the sake of your spiritual health, and what specific action will you take today to move forward?
Quotes
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