Old-time, steam locomotives could burn around 1,000 pounds of wood per hour (17 pounds per minute). That is a lot of wood. The fire had to be constantly fed wood —no wood, no fire, no movement. I’ve seen something similar in professing believers’ lives. If they aren’t “stoking the fire” of their zeal for Christ, they won’t be active in sharing Christ. Think about it. Why would one share about something that isn’t exciting? No one tells others about a lukewarm experience at a restaurant. “Jesus, yah,” yawn. “Yes I believe in Him.” 

Remember, we are “bought with a price.” Our life is not our own. The flesh demands to be catered too and entertained. Yet the Spirit leads us according to His will. Which will be the driving force in our life —the flesh or the Holy Spirit? 

What we take in drives the desires of our heart and how on fire for the Lord we are. How much time in the Word and in prayer, what we watch/listen to, and the books we read all affect the spiritual temperature of our heart. Will we feed the fire of our spirit with worldly media or God’s Word and edifying Christian books?

A few outstanding evangelism books I’ve found helpful:

Street Smarts, The Story of Reality, and Tactics all by Gregory Koukl

Preparing for Eternity by Mike Gendron (outstanding resource when speaking with Catholics)

Are we “on fire” for Him? “For our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:29). 

“Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour” (Ephesians 5:1-2).