Fired Up or Getting Burnt

There is a word used inappropriately by modern preachers and teachers which may be conveying a correct message, but it is not how the word is used in the Bible. The exhortation is to be “on fire for the Lord.” One source in the Bible is Revelation 3:15–16 — “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm — neither hot nor cold — I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” That is a serious piece of Scripture and needs our serious attention. Notice, however, it is saying Jesus wants us to be either cold or hot, not preferring one over the other, but He was writing to a church in Asia where there were two springs. One is a hot spring and the other a cold spring. Both have a therapeutic effect, depending on your ailment. So Jesus is exhorting Christians to have a healing effect on the world, to be that wellspring of water:

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst — not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” (John 4:13, MSG)

“On fire for the Lord” has one more misappropriated source: John the Baptist said, “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” However, he was not saying people need to be “on fire for the Lord.” Again we should be intensely dedicated to the Way Jesus paved for us. Yet, the usage made in today’s preaching is a common mistake and hides the specific warning of John the Baptist: The phrase is taken out of context.

The full context is set in the whole chapter and specifically Matthew 3:10–12 is where “fire” is found. People who are connected to the real world know that fire can be a very destructive force, consuming wood into ashes. That is how it is used here. The people he was addressing were such realistic people. John the Baptist was warning his world (and also our modern world) about the ultimate Judgement of God. See for yourself:

“The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire. I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

So, to me anyways, that sounds like he is warning unrighteous wrong-doers and not exhorting Believers to be “on fire for the Lord.” That would put them in a very bad position with God, wouldn’t it? So, Believers, get fired up for the Gospel, and Unbelievers, don’t get burnt up out there.