Too Close To The Fire

Have you ever been too close to a fire?

It's easy to get burnt when you're standing to close. You have to make sure you stay warm, but don't get so close that it causes you damage. There is no such thing as a cool fire. I've never read of anyone being frozen by a fire. In fact it's just the opposite. When you are too close to the fire you can be consumed by its flames or overcome by its heat. Neither one of these episodes is what you want to happen.

People that always find fault are standing next to the wrong fire. They're the ones that keep things stirred up and cause misery to the pastor and the church they attend. You've met them and you really want to avoid them each time you see them head your way. They're the ones who think the church revolves around them. Some will even tell you you can't make it there without them.

Usually when they don't get their way they hold their tithes or make a scene when they enter or exit the church. They talk a good game and act super spiritual, but on the inside they are like a ravening wolf. If you stand too close around the fire with them you'll end up being the one that gets burnt.

Every pastor I'm sure has had to deal with a manipulator before. That's the one that strokes the fire. I pastored a church where one family caused a stir in another family's household and put the blame on me. It was about 5 years later they came to Becky and I and apologized for being a pawn in that situation. They were lied to and the lie was so convincing they believed it. After it was said and done the manipulating family told a lie on them that almost destroyed their family. It was then they realized they had gotten too close to the fire.

My sincere advice today is to be careful which fire you warm yourself with. It can be the fire of the Holy Ghost or the fire of the enemy seeking to destroy your soul. Make sure you know the truth before you make any statement that could harm someone. Don't just repeat everything you hear because sometimes what you hear isn't what was said. Don't get too close to the wrong fire-because you will get burned.