What happened in Judges 16?
Was there a fire that needed a literal fire extinguisher?
Not particularly.
But we see two people there. One, a fire. The other, a fire extinguisher.
What happened to this fire? That he got exposed to the quenching hands of the fire extinguisher.
What is a fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. (Wikipedia)
To use the fire extinguisher, you:
PULL… Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
AIM… Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire. …
SQUEEZE… Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
SWEEP… Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out.
The Judges 6 Fire Extinguisher
“Then went Samson to Gaza, and saw there an harlot…” (Judges 6:)
When he got to Gaza, Samson, the man filled with fire and clothed in beauty, got attracted to a harlot. He succumbed to her seduction “and went in unto her.” The downward trend to fire extinguishing.
Samson’s gift was in him, though there was the hair only known to him and his parents which he carried about. His gift, built inside him, was coated with grace and mercy that spoke so loud for him.
Little wonder he could still minister after Judges 16:1-3 and was able to take down the doors of the gate. His fire was inborn. The fire was carved and built into him. God declared his unique gift before his birth. It was a rare fire. Its flames were different.
We have many Christians like Samson today. You stand on the pulpit and preach sermons that make the congregates weep and repent. You even do some miracles.
But shortly after you hand over the microphone and remove your shoes in private, a besetting sin pulls and sweeps you down into the trash can. Fire Extinguisher.
Fire extinguishers to put away
If your fire must not be extinguished, then put these away from you: Anger, envy, jealousy, bitterness, belittling of others, low self-esteem, pride and discouragement, etc.
Whatever tampers with the glow of the fire is called The Fire Extinguisher.
There are many things that stand as fire extinguishers around us and in us:
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Lust:
It doesn’t know a man’s status. If you cannot be disciplined like Joseph and take to your heels on time, you would be drowned like Samson on time. Joseph said no the allurements of the flesh. Samson allowed his desire to put out the flame of anointing poured on him from his mother’s womb. Judges 13:5.(Lust is not just for the opposite sex. It can be a lust for fame, wealth, attention, power, glory, etc)
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The mouth:
Samson couldn’t manage information. (verse 17) He couldn’t keep a secret. God’s own secret for his destiny fulfilment. He lied severally until he spoke the truth, which brought his life and ministry to an abrupt end. His mouth extinguished his anointing, the reason God created and kept him alive to serve.
What have you said with your mouth, have you prophesied wrongly? Have you prayed for those you weren’t led to pray for just because you wanted to make a name?
Have you been lying against that sister? When you do what should not be done, you extinguish the fire.
3. Your relationship:
On whose laps are you passing time? The laps of bad companionship because you want “influence”? Because you are about to be wed so you don’t see anything wrong in lying on his laps or allowing her on your laps in the cold all alone in your house?
Fires go out slowly until it is totally gone.
What do you allow in your relationship… till your body becomes so helpless and your mouth utters improper words?
Until you tell yourself to:
- Abstain from all appearances of evil 1Thess 5:22
- Avoid corrupt communications Eph 4:29
- Think about things that Philp 4:8 says.
- Pray without ceasing 1Thess 5:17
- Meditate on God’s law day and night Josh 1:8
- Quench not the Spirit 1Thess 5:19
- Hold fast that which is good 1Thess 5:21b
You will always get a fire extinguished – faster than you got it.
Have you received a revelation, and it’s burning in you? Wait, give it time, don’t announce it just yet. Don’t quench your fire because of the anxiousness to be known.
4. Glorying in past victories:
Don’t settle in the camp of past victories, patting your back for what you’ve accomplished.
Example: The number of souls won before, don’t let it get into your head, don’t rub it on yourself, but be forever grateful to God.
Like brother Paul, “Forgetting those things that are behind, and reaching forth to those things ahead…” (Philp 3:13)
You can be your own fire extinguisher. I can be my fire extinguisher. And I can also be your fire extinguisher. Just as secret sins or besetting sins can be a fire extinguisher in your life if you allow it.
Would you ever forget these words on Samson’s recovery before his death?
Judges 16:23, 24, 30.. “let me die with the Philistines.”
He had lost his eyes, anointing was too low, how would he go back to his people after all the trouble he causes them?
He cut short his ministry, and he died an untimely death.
Many Christians are a typical example of Samson. They allow what they shouldn’t allow and disallow what they should allow, making a mess of their call.
May God grace keep you from fire extinguishers.
