Raging Fire or Cup of Water?
Sunday, October 22nd, 2006
he Bible uses metaphors a lot. Sometimes, however, we run the risk of pushing a metaphor too far. For example, when Paul talks about “the armor of God” with relation to things that should characterize us as believers, we might go too far into the “army” metaphor and begin to see everything related to Christianity as being militaristic in nature.
This especially proves problematic when we have metaphors used in Scripture that seem to conflict with other metaphors. For example, God is shown in Old Testament as wooing the nation of Israel as a husband woos his wife. The whole story of Hosea relates to this metaphor of a loving husband and a wandering wife. Yet, we also see God portrayed in Scripture as Father. Likewise, we (the Church) make up the “bride of Christ”, yet Christ is also described as our brother. If we push either metaphor too far, the other seems to make no sense (or worse, is viewed as something very unnatural).
In Scripture, we see fire used in some metaphorical ways. God refines us, as gold is refined by fire. This shows the purifying nature of fire when it is applied to precious metals. God also talks about His word in this way. Jeremiah 23:29 says, “‘Is not My word like fire?’ declares the LORD, ‘and like a hammer which shatters a rock?’”
So does this mean that whenever we respond to people, we have the right to burn them with fire and smash them like a hammer shatters a rock? Hardly! Because there are other metaphors that need to be considered.
Look at water. Now, as everyone knows, water can actually put out a fire. So, at first glance, the water metaphor may seem automatically at odds with the fire metaphor. How can the two coexist?
Yet Scripture talks about living water flowing out of us. It talks about giving a cup of water to people as representatives of Christ. It shows the refreshing characteristic of water as part of the good news of the Gospel.
So we see these two seemingly conflicting metaphors at work. The Holy Spirit within us is depicted as fire, yet out of us can come refreshing water! Is one right and the other wrong? No. Is there a time for each? Yes.
The question that I must ask myself is, do I emphasize one over the other? If all I do in my interactions (especially with believers) is burn them with “fire” (even if I think I’m doing it on the basis of using the Scriptures to make my points), I am wrong. If all I see myself as is the burning flame of purifying fire, attempting to burn away all the things I see as wrong with others, I err grievously.
Likewise, if all I am doing is trying to make everyone feel good, handing out cups of cold water indiscriminately, I err on the other side. Let’s all consider how we may encourage each other, speaking those words of purification when necessary, but also giving refreshment to each other as we walk together.
Until next time,
steve 
