Let’s start by looking at the definition of ‘spark’. According to the dictionary a spark is:-
“A small fiery particle thrown off from a fire, alight in ashes, or produced by striking together two hard surfaces such as stone or metal.”
“A small amount of a quality or intense feeling.”
The love of God can also be identified by a spark, and as a spark grows in warmth and intensity so too does the love of God. Picture if you will a dry, leafy forest floor. A single spark from a camper’s fire is blown in the wind and lands on a particularly dry piece of forest litter. The spark takes hold and starts to warm the leaf litter, slowly, bit by bit the fire starts. Gradually, if not extinguished, it grows and finally it erupts into a full blown forest fire, engulfing the forest and burning with intense heat.
So too it is with the love of God, it starts with a spark, and gently starts warming the heart. If left unextinguished it will grow to envelope the being in intense warmth, heat, love and bring comfort and hope to the soul. As the fire engulfed the forest so too the love of God will engulf the soul and shine out in radiant beams of light and love.
Luke 24:32 “And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?”
Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like as a fire? saith the Lord…”
Proverbs 4:18 “But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.”
But just as God uses a spark to ignite our hearts to life and love, so Satan uses a spark to destroy and darken our hearts and with Satan also the spark of evil can travel just as rapidly through our being destroying the love of God in its path. We need to be very careful of the wiles of the devil. In watching evils, in movies, games, or even in the news we become ‘desensitised’. The dictionary defines desensitised as:-
“Make (someone) less likely to feel shock or distress at scenes of cruelty or suffering by overexposure to such images.”
This gives Satan the opportunity he needs to come in and start defiling our hearts. Our minds do not put up as much resistance to the evils as we have beheld so much of it we have become used to it and it doesn’t ring the warning bells, bells which would startle us into realising that we are hosting Satan in our hearts and minds. Once in, the devil can wrack and ruin any good the Saviour has implanted, and the ‘spark’ of Satan will grow like a wildfire enveloping our soul. It doesn’t take much for us to listen to Satan’s temptations and start down the path to perdition. Satan is out to destroy each and every one of us and yes my friends, I’m sorry to say he is out for you also. Once on the path of destruction it is hard to step off, Satan will do his uttermost to ensure you stay deceived and the spark that Satan implanted will continue to grow till a wildfire erupts.
But be of good cheer friends, we do have a merciful Saviour, plenty of Bible promises, Jesus and the Holy Spirit.
Isaiah 41:13 “For I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”
Psalm 145:18,19 “The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth. He will fulfil the desire of them that fear him: he also will hear their cry, and will save them.”
John 14:26 “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”
As we can see from the above promises Jesus will never leave us to wander down Satan’s path. Jesus helps us personally but He also has sent help via the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is always with us to impress our minds, warning us of danger and leading us into paths of righteousness. There will always be a escape route, a way out. Jesus promises in Corinthians:-
1st Corinthians 10:13 “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”
Jesus is always with us dear friends, we never walk alone. In these days and age the devil is more determined than ever to destroy as many of God’s people as possible and we need to be on guard like never before. Jesus has left us with more than enough resources to conquer the devil. So let’s start with:-
Ephesians 6:11,12 “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”
So what is this armour of God?
Ephesians 6:14-18 “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”
Friends, the day of God’s reckoning is just before us and as it says in 1st Peter Satan is out for revenge and destruction.
1st Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
My friends, take courage Psalm 23:4 says it all:-
Psalm 23:4 “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.”
Jesus is with us everywhere, every-time. He never leaves, so put on the whole armour of God and stand ever ready to defeat the wiles of the devil. Heaven is our home and it’s worth fighting for. Stand strong, be of good courage, put your hand in Jesus’ and trust Him to carry you home.