Isaiah 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried and chosen you in the furnace of affliction.
The furnace of trials and temptations develop the different facets of the fruit of the spirit. In fact, without the furnace experiences, our spiritual fruit will not be succulent and sweet. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). Our endurance in the furnace of fire will refine and shine forth the nine facets of the fruit of the spirit. Furnace experience is also God’s selection process for promotion from a soldier, to a sergeant, in the Kingdom of God. The battles before the breakthrough strengthen our spiritual substratum to receive and hold the blessings. The victory in our furnace is not just the outcome of the peril but the tenacity of our faith through the fire.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego won the battle when they made the profound declaration to the furious King Nebuchadnezzar, “But even if He does not (deliver us from the furnace), let it be known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden statue you have set up” (Daniel 3:18). The fruit of faithfulness gleamed through the tenacity of the three slave boys. Their faithfulness in the furnace bolstered the gift of faith. The Fruit of Faithfulness multiplied the measure of the Gift of Faith.
‘Power Gifts’ (faith, healings, and the working of miracles) must mature us in faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. ‘Revelatory Gifts’ (word of wisdom, the word of knowledge, and discerning of spirits) should be exercised with love, joy and peace and ‘Vocal Gifts’ (speaking in tongues, interpretation of tongues, and prophecy) should be operated with patience, kindness and goodness.
Fruit of the Spirit is the conclusive evidence of the Gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits (Matthew 7:16). He did not say, ‘You will know them by their gifts’. Spiritual gifts without fruits are dangerous and fruits without spiritual gifts are inadequate.
Are you in a furnace? The fruit of the Spirit matures in the furnace and a greater measure of the Gifts of the Spirit will be the reward of our patient endurance.
Fruits in the Furnace:
1. Faith: God has given us a measure of faith and the fire in the furnace fine-tunes our faith (Romans 12:3b). Faith that is on fire cannot be consumed by the fire in the furnace.
2. Faithfulness: Our faithfulness in our walk with God in the furnace of a diagnosis, disappointment and disparagement will make room for greater measure of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit.
3. Fervor: Our forbearance and fervor in the furnace will augment the Gift of Faith to fight for others.
The fire in the furnace refines luscious spiritual fruits.
Faith that is on fire cannot be consumed by the fire in the furnace.
Isaiah 43:2b When you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
Prayer: Jesus my Living Water, I will drink from you to overflow with your love and hope to those who are depressed and despondent. Amen.
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