“This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you.1 Timothy 1:6
God has given each one of us a powerful gift of faith. This gift of faith did not begin with us, but with God. We do not have to worry about drumming up enough faith to match the size of our current challenge or obstacle. As a matter of fact, God tells us if we have faith that is only the size of a mustard seed, it is enough to move a mountain. Not a hill, not a bucket of dirt. Not a spoonful of sugar but a mountain. Even a mustard seed worth of faith is a force to be reckoned with.
Fan your faith.
While God has given us this gift of faith, there is something we must do, fan it into flames. What does this mean? Let’s check the Greek and see what we learn about fanning into flames.
Fan the flames.
In the Greek the word fan transliterates as anazōpyreō which means to kindle anew, to resuscitate, to gain strength, the remains of a fire, embers. From these definitions we can gain great hope. No matter what you have been through, how you have failed or how deeply you have fallen, there is always an ember of faith that God is waiting to resuscitate. This Holy CPR happens when we speak the Word of God into our circumstances. God inhabits His Word with His Holy Spirit (ruah) who is literally the breath of God. We’ve all seen what happens when wind blows on a campfire, or our breath blows on a birthday candle. The wind and our breath fan the fire into flames. In the same way you can breathe new life into your life by speaking and praying the Word of God.
Fan what remains.
Anazōpyreō also references the mind. There is a direct connection between the quality of our thoughts and our faith. Have we been thinking faithful thoughts or have we been listening to the lies of the enemy? Remember not every thought that comes into your mind originates with you. Never repeat the lies the Enemy tries to speak to you. Fix your mind on the truth, God’s Word. When we think on what is good, true, pure, and holy, these pure thoughts from God blow through our mind and heart and fan into flames the embers of faith that always remain.
If you feel your faith has been dwindling, use the word of God to do a little rekindling.
Resources
Gregory Dickow: Connect your Faith to God’s Power
By Mary Kane
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