🕎 What’s in Your Oil?
How to Keep Your Spiritual Flame Burning
Is your spiritual flame burning brightly, or does it feel a little dim?
In the Bible, God commanded the Israelites to bring pure beaten olive oil to keep the lamps in the tabernacle burning continually (Exodus 27:20). This oil represents the flow of the Holy Spirit in our lives. Just as the Israelites had to bring their best oil, we need to keep our spiritual oil pure and flowing to maintain a strong connection with God.
But what happens when our oil becomes contaminated?
Sometimes, life’s difficulties, offenses, and unforgiveness can act like bugs in our oil, making it difficult for our spiritual flame to burn. When that happens, it’s time to do an oil change! We need to examine what’s going into our hearts and minds and remove anything that’s blocking the flow of God’s Spirit.
Here’s how to keep your spiritual oil pure:
Examine Your Heart:
Are there any offenses or grudges you’ve been holding on to? Ask God to reveal any areas of bitterness and help you release them. Unforgiveness can be like a contaminant that prevents the Holy Spirit’s presence from flowing freely in your life.
Refill with Fresh Oil:
Spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, allowing the Holy Spirit to refill and refresh you. Just like a car that needs new oil after so many miles, we need fresh oil daily to keep our spiritual engines running smoothly.
Fan the Flame:
Don’t wait for someone else to light your fire. Take responsibility for your spiritual growth. Worship, pray, and actively seek God, even when you don’t feel like it. The more you stoke the flame, the brighter it will burn.
Action Step:
Take a moment to ask God, “Is there anything in my heart that’s contaminating my oil?” Write down any areas of bitterness, frustration, or offense that come to mind. Then, pray and ask God to cleanse your heart and refill you with the pure oil of His Spirit.