Keeping the Fire Lit

Leviticus 6:13 “The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”

In Leviticus 6, God gives Moses detailed instructions regarding the continual burnt offering. The priests were commanded to keep the fire on the altar burning day and night. This fire was kindled initially by God Himself (Leviticus 9:24), symbolizing His divine presence and acceptance of the sacrifice. The priest’s responsibility was to maintain what God started, to guard the flame, feed it with wood daily, and remove the ashes that could smother it.

For spiritual leaders today, this fire represents our passion for God, our devotion in service, and our purity before Him. God starts the fire when He saves and calls us, but we must tend it daily. Leadership without fire becomes a lifeless duty. Churches cool, ministries fade, and hearts grow cold when the fire of devotion is neglected. D.L. Moody once said, “A man on fire for God will never have to advertise himself. People will come to watch him burn.”

Let’s look at seven signs that the fire has gone out spiritually and how to rekindle it.

I. You’ve Lost Your Passion for God’s Presence

“Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you.” - James 4:8

When the fire fades, time with God feels like an obligation rather than an opportunity. The warmth of worship turns into a cold routine. David once cried, “My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:2).

Leaders who lose that thirst soon lead from mechanics instead of intimacy. A.W. Tozer said, “We have as much of God as we actually want.”

If you find yourself rushing through prayer, avoiding stillness, or feeling distant in worship, it’s a sure sign the flame is dimming.

II. You’ve Replaced Devotion with Duty

“Nevertheless, I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.” - Revelation 2:4

The Ephesian church was orthodox but not on fire. They had duty without delight. When the heart of worship cools, service becomes performance, and leadership becomes mechanical.

Martha in Luke 10 was busy for Jesus but was not sitting with Jesus. Mary’s devotion burned while Martha’s duty distracted her.

Charles Spurgeon warned, “If you lose the warmth of your love to Jesus, you will do little good in your ministry.”

III. You No Longer Hunger for God’s Word

“Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.”- Jeremiah 15:16

A heart that’s lost its fire no longer feeds on Scripture with joy. Reading the Bible becomes academic instead of intimate. When the Israelites grew weary of manna (Numbers 21:5), they despised the very provision that sustained them. Likewise, leaders who tire of God’s Word soon grow spiritually malnourished.

John Wesley said, “I want to know one thing, the way to heaven; how to land safe on that happy shore. God Himself has condescended to teach the way... He hath written it down in a book. Oh, give me that Book!”

IV. You’ve Grown Comfortable with Compromise

“Quench not the Spirit.” - 1 Thessalonians 5:19

Compromise is like water on the altar; it cools what should burn. When leaders tolerate what they once resisted, the Spirit’s fire is grieved. Samson toyed with sin until the Spirit departed (Judges 16:20). He didn’t lose his strength in a moment; he lost it by neglecting his consecration.

Leonard Ravenhill wrote, “The reason we don’t have revival is that we are willing to live without it.”

V. You’re More Concerned with People’s Approval than God’s Glory

“For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.” - Galatians 1:10

A cooled heart seeks applause more than anointing. When you burn for God, you stop living for the crowd. But when the flame goes out, you lead by polls instead of by prayer. King Saul lost his throne because he feared people more than God (1 Samuel 15:24). His zeal for God was replaced by insecurity.

Vance Havner said, “The thermometer of a leader’s spiritual life is not how well he is liked, but how much he is like Christ.”

VI. You Have No Burden for Souls

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing.” - Psalm 126:6

Cold hearts don’t weep. They critique sermons but never cry for sinners. A Spirit-filled leader burns for the lost. When evangelistic passion dies, the fire has gone out.

Oswald J. Smith said, “Oh, my friends, we are loaded down with countless church activities, while the real work of the church, that of evangelizing the world and winning the lost, is almost entirely neglected!”

Jeremiah wept for a nation that would not repent (Jeremiah 9:1). Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41). Paul said, “I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren” (Romans 9:3). Have you lost your tears for people? If so, it is an obvious sign that the fire is going out.

VII. You’ve Stopped Repenting and Renewing Your Heart

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” - Psalm 51:10

When the fire goes out, the altar gathers ashes: unconfessed sin, unresolved pride, unrenewed habits. The fire will not burn where sin remains unaddressed. David’s confession in Psalm 51 rekindled the fire of fellowship with God. When Peter wept bitterly after denying Christ (Luke 22:62), his tears cleared the ashes from his heart so God could reignite his calling.

R.A. Torrey said, “The reason why many fail in battle is that they wait until the hour of battle. The reason why others succeed is that they have gained their victory on their knees long before the battle came.”

God starts the fire; you must sustain it. Every morning, the priest added wood (Leviticus 6:12). Every day, the leader must add devotion, humility, repentance, and time in the Word.

There are several practical ways to keep the fire lit, and they are simple but essential.

• Feed the flame daily with Scripture

• Remove the ashes of sin and pride.

• Stir your soul through worship and prayer.

• Fellowship with other burning hearts.

• And, stay close to the altar where Christ sacrificed Himself.

“The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.” - Leviticus 6:13

May the fire that God kindled in your calling never die down in your life or ministry.