Proverbs 26:20a says, “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out.”

Matthew 3:10 says, “And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.”

Too often people blame others for their lack of zeal. They will blame the pastor’s message on Sunday morning or the worship set from the worship team, convincing themselves that they were just “not anointed enough”. They focus on the problems they face everyday and seek to fix them by themselves instead of taking these issues to God in prayer and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead them. While all of these excuses may appear valid, they could not be any further from the truth. If our passion is based off someone else’s anointing, relationship with God or even the problems they may cause, then it is prime, undeniable evidence that they do not have a relationship with God themselves! 

Jesus baptizes in the Holy Spirit and fire (Matthew 3:11), and so our nearness to Him will permit us to be consumed in the fire of His presence. However, if we want to keep the fire going, we must keep adding wood to it. This indicates that we must cut down some trees. According to John the Baptist, any fruitless tree must be cut down, not from the branches, but from the roots, and then cast into the fire. Any fruitless tree that is rooted in religion in our lives must be cut down. We are called to only bear fruit that remains, and if we are not bearing the fruit of the Spirit or souls, then it is the wrong type of tree! We must cut down any religious thought, idea or action that is diametrically opposed to the will and purposes of God for our lives. Lay the ax of God’s Word to it, and as you become a living sacrifice before Him, seeking to serve others rather than yourself, the fire will always be burning and will never go out (Leviticus 6:13)!