The fire of God is His character. His fire searches us from within and brings out our impurities, ultimately separating us from worldly things. It is impossible to change without the fire of God.

The people were waiting expectantly and were all wondering in their hearts if John might possibly be the Messiah. John answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” (Luke 3:15-17)

So Ahab sent word throughout all Israel and assembled the prophets on Mount Carmel. Elijah went before the people and said, “How long will you waver between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow him; but if Baal is God, follow him. “But the people said nothing. Then Elijah said to them, “I am the only one of the Lord’s prophets left, but Baal has four hundred and fifty prophets. Get two bulls for us. Let Baal’s prophets choose one for themselves, and let them cut it into pieces and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. I will prepare the other bull and put it on the wood but not set fire to it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the Lord. The god who answers by fire—he is God.” Then all the people said, “What you say is good.” Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, “Choose one of the bulls and prepare it first, since there are so many of you. Call on the name of your god, but do not light the fire.”

Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, “The Lord—he is God! The Lord—he is God!” (1 Kings 18:20-25, 38-39)

Why do we need the fire of God?

Only the fire of God can bring change through conviction which, when accompanied by repentance, leads to transformation. In the New Testament Church, the fire of God fell upon the apostles, and when they started preaching, signs and wonders followed. Our ministry needs the fire of God, the Holy Spirit, for us to transform lives with full conviction. Only the fire of God can distinguish us from the world.

How do we get the fire?

We have to draw near to God and repair the altar of our hearts. Religious activities will not bring the fire of God. Great preaching cannot change people; in fact, these activities can only prepare us for the fire. There has to be a genuine desire for righteousness. We need to humble ourselves and seek God like the apostles on the Day of Pentecost. Jesus started His ministry after fasting for 40 days and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Then, His ministry began with tests from the devil. When the fire is within us, we can withstand all kinds of temptation. We need the blood of Jesus to cleanse us of all impurities. Then, our hearts become the altars of the Holy Spirit.