1706. No Strange Fire

No Strange Fire

"Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon" (Exo_30:9).

1. No strange fire. The Word of God portrays in this verse, how many seek to reach God who have no claim upon Him. They seek to approach to the Father when they have not even been born again; they approach in their own merit, and upon their own name; they know nothing of Christ nor the Cross. All such prayer can be no more than strange fire.

2. Efforts at oratory in prayer. Speaking with studied rounded sentences and practiced oratorical periods are an abomination to God. Prayer to the ears of man, prayer offered to sway an audience, is all strange fire.

3. When we regard iniquity in our hearts. When we pray that we may consume it upon our lusts, it is strange fire.

When we pray in order that we may have power in service, possessions, physical relief from pain, or anything of a distinctly selfish nature, apart from the glory of God, and apart from the performance of His good pleasure, it is strange fire.

4. When we pray with loud noise, slapping of hands, rolling upon the floor, with any carnal energy, that is not clearly of the Holy Ghost, it is strange fire. When by our prayers we seek to draw the attention of men to ourselves, that they may glorify us, it is strange fire.

There are some who may be discouraged and afraid to pray lest they offer strange fire. Let us remember, however, that in the Holy Place the Golden Candlesticks were placed, and were there to throw light upon the Altar of Incense. We know not how to pray as we ought, but the Holy Spirit will teach us how to pray. He will lighten the way in our prayer life, in fact, we should pray along with Him, and He will pray along with us–"Praying in the Holy Ghost" (Jdg_1:20).

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR