The Holy Spirit and Fire

[Gideon300]

Some Christians are confused about the meaning of "Fire" in the scripture. I've heard some Christians seek for fire as if it was a great blessing. Yes it is, but it is all to easy to be deceived. "Fire" is not the Holy Spirit. It does not manifest physically or in signs and wonders. So what does it mean in reality?

John the Baptist announced Jesus as the Messiah, Luke 3:16. "He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." If the Holy Spirit was "fire", then what John said was unnecessary. Some Christians assume that the "tongues like flames of fire" (Acts 2:3) describe the Holy Spirit. No, the descending Holy Spirit looked like a flame, but that's all.

Fire in God's word is almost always negative. It usually has to do with judgement. Some may want judgement to come on their lives. Me, I much prefer mercy and grace. I don't need God to punish me. I create enough trouble all by myself! For example, I've just trashed our web site, simply by updating Wordpress. And I can't find the backup.

Hebrews 12:29: Our God is a consuming fire. That's no fun at all. So what is good about fire and why did Jesus want to start one? There are two aspects. One is the fire of judgement on the wicked that is yet to come. But there is also the cleansing fire that consumes what is not of Christ and not of faith in the Christian.

1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."

Brethren, you do not have to ask God for fire. It's part of our Christian experience. If more Christians realised this, they would find it easier to deal with life's problems in a positive way.

Be encouraged. Perhaps you see your works go up in flames (1 Corinthians 3:12). Our works are judged during our lifetimes. It can be devastating when we discover that God was not pleased with our best intentions. However, God has made a wonderful promise: He will give us His beauty for our ashes (Isaiah 61:3). It's an exchange. Instead of dressing in sackcloth and sitting on the pile of ashes, give them over to Jesus. Let Him give you His beauty instead.

We need to assured of God's love for us. God wants our very best. Sometimes He has to take away what is precious to us in order to give us greater blessing. "Fire" is not pleasant, but it is necessary.

 

[homwardbound]

Agreed, to learn to be content in all things good or bad that happen to us.
Paul was content being put in jail, Paul was content in those that accused him and said bad stuff about him. Paul saw this
There are those that sincerely believe God and those not sincere.
He gloried in both, because Jesus was preached. Even Jesus said this to the disciples during his walk here on earth before that cross. ?they said to him hey there are those over there preaching your name and are not a part of us. Call fire upon them.
Jesus answered leave them alone, my name is being preached. Those that come to believe will see and be new, my paraphrase
It was leave them alone, to me that is trust my Father I told you to love your enemies, feed them give them drink, it is Love my Father's love that overcomes all evil
He is risen and did that exactly John 16:33, that was quoted before his willing death as he saw it to be real even before it came to pass yet
Ask Father for the new life in the risen Son, thank you and see new

 

[ChristRoseFromTheDead]

The context is pretty clear what John meant by fire. It's analogous to Pharaoh and his army being baptized in the sea.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:7-12​

 

[homwardbound]

The context is pretty clear what John meant by fire. It's analogous to Pharaoh and his army being baptized in the sea.

But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham as our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matthew 3:7-12​

Today it is finished (John 19:30). What he came here to earth to do. (Matthew 5:17) left one choice left!
To believe God, Son is risen for the two of them to live through us willingly. Pride becomes dead, the need remains in humility to me anyways
I see "I" am not righteous, yet God is and Son died once for us all (Hebrews 10:10) for to be 100 percent forgiven by him forever through Father for us to be saved in forever. Then risen for new life to begin in us, those that choose belief to this done work for them to be new Born new by Father and Son.
Left one choice to believe God in risen Son or not, then one get sealed to see the whole truth, and stand in belief in thanksgiving and praise, can say to God Father, I just did it again Father and I know as you know I do not want to do that again, yet I continue to do what I now see as in Romans 7 tells me about this truth of flesh nature, how it cannot please you Father.
How do I let go of being under Law? How do I see this and just trust you to get me through it all. Oh, I see at the end of Romans 7, to see Romans 8
Wow woe is me as I re read over and over and do not see at first, then I do as you see to let me see, thank you, when I did not see what I wanted to see, I now see, I wasn't ready to see it in whole truth yet, thank you for your mysterious ways, wanting only what is best for us all, thank you

 

[GWH]

Some Christians are confused about the meaning of "Fire" in the scripture. I've heard some Christians seek for fire as if it was a great blessing. Yes it is, but it is all to easy to be deceived. "Fire" is not the Holy Spirit. It does not manifest physically or in signs and wonders. So what does it mean in reality?

John the Baptist announced Jesus as the Messiah, Luke 3:16. "He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." If the Holy Spirit was "fire", then what John said was unnecessary. Some Christians assume that the "tongues like flames of fire" (Acts 2:3) describe the Holy Spirit. No, the descending Holy Spirit looked like a flame, but that's all.

Fire in God's word is almost always negative. It usually has to do with judgement. Some may want judgement to come on their lives. Me, I much prefer mercy and grace. I don't need God to punish me. I create enough trouble all by myself! For example, I've just trashed our web site, simply by updating Wordpress. And I can't find the backup.

Hebrews 12:29: Our God is a consuming fire. That's no fun at all. So what is good about fire and why did Jesus want to start one? There are two aspects. One is the fire of judgement on the wicked that is yet to come. But there is also the cleansing fire that consumes what is not of Christ and not of faith in the Christian.

1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."

Brethren, you do not have to ask God for fire. It's part of our Christian experience. If more Christians realised this, they would find it easier to deal with life's problems in a positive way.

Be encouraged. Perhaps you see your works go up in flames (1 Corinthians 3:12). Our works are judged during our lifetimes. It can be devastating when we discover that God was not pleased with our best intentions. However, God has made a wonderful promise: He will give us His beauty for our ashes (Isaiah 61:3). It's an exchange. Instead of dressing in sackcloth and sitting on the pile of ashes, give them over to Jesus. Let Him give you His beauty instead.

We need to assured of God's love for us. God wants our very best. Sometimes He has to take away what is precious to us in order to give us greater blessing. "Fire" is not pleasant, but it is necessary.

I think your point is very inciteful and not made very often.

I would point out that "and" in the Bible often seems to mean "= ".

I agree that 1CR 3:12 indicates that part of the truth the HS teaches by means of making us feel guilty is that we should stop sinning in order to avoid negative consequences. Fire is a purifying agent that burns off the dross, leaving us better, stronger and more mature. However, the fire that warms believers also burns God's enemies.

Re accidentally trashing your website: Yikes! I hope I don't do that! It is bad enough when I accidentally delete only a part. Hope you find the backup.

Thanks again for the edifying post.

 

[GRACE_ambassador]

Holy Spirit and Fire?

Precious friends, This may be of great interest, as well as the whole series on
Holy Spirit 101!:

The Fire is spoken about in Part 7 Empowerment at time 4:40. Please
Be Very Richly Encouraged and Edified In God's Word Of Truth.

Amen.

 

[Gideon300]

I think your point is very inciteful and not made very often.

I would point out that "and" in the Bible often seems to mean "= ".

I agree that 1CR 3:12 indicates that part of the truth the HS teaches by means of making us feel guilty is that we should stop sinning in order to avoid negative consequences. Fire is a purifying agent that burns off the dross, leaving us better, stronger and more mature. However, the fire that warms believers also burns God's enemies.

Re accidentally trashing your website: Yikes! I hope I don't do that! It is bad enough when I accidentally delete only a part. Hope you find the backup.

Thanks again for the edifying post.

Thanks. My concern about the confusion about "fire" is that people can easily be deceived. I cringe when I hear people pray for "fire" to fall. Locally, there is a "fire" church. No thanks.

 

[GWH]

Thanks. My concern about the confusion about "fire" is that people can easily be deceived. I cringe when I hear people pray for "fire" to fall. Locally, there is a "fire" church. No thanks.

I am reminded of Elijah in 1KGS 19:11-13, to whom the Lord spoke--not in the fire, but in the gentle whisper.

 

[Blain]

The hebrew word for fire is esh and the meaning has several meanings including judgement but it also is a metaphor for divine power. the holy spirit himself is not fire just he is also not the wind itself but the hebrew word for wind is spirit and the usage of fire in scripture can be seen as both a good and bad thing.

wind and fire can both be attributed to the holy spirit or God's divine power as fire can indeed destroy but it also gives light and if it burns down a forest or something eventually that field or forest grows back greener and more beautiful than before it is a very symbolic thing just as wind is as only wind can enahnce the flames of a fire which is why you fan the flames.

But in regard to the holy spirit he can in fact take form of fire or at least appear as fire but this is empowerment of the believer it gives life

 

[GWH]

The hebrew word for fire is esh and the meaning has several meanings including judgement but it also is a metaphor for divine power. the holy spirit himself is not fire just he is also not the wind itself but the hebrew word for wind is spirit and the usage of fire in scripture can be seen as both a good and bad thing.

wind and fire can both be attributed to the holy spirit or God's divine power as fire can indeed destroy but it also gives light and if it burns down a forest or something eventually that field or forest grows back greener and more beautiful than before it is a very symbolic thing just as wind is as only wind can enahnce the flames of a fire which is why you fan the flames.

But in regard to the holy spirit he can in fact take form of fire or at least appear as fire but this is empowerment of the believer it gives life

Yes, but what Gideon and I are cautioning against is the tendency of charismatics to equate emotionalism with being filled with the HS, when the whisper of GW needs to be valued. Their relationship is analogous to that of saving faith and works: faith precedes love (per GL 5:6), and right reasoning or interpretation of GW should guide one’s emotion.

 

[homwardbound]

Thanks. My concern about the confusion about "fire" is that people can easily be deceived. I cringe when I hear people pray for "fire" to fall. Locally, there is a "fire" church. No thanks.

I immediately think of Midrach, Shadrach and Abednigo with King Nebuchadnezzar sending them into that fire, and they went willingly, not caring if die or not, wow to me God can and does take any fire and makes it Holy by us standing in belief willing to die or not as in Romans 14, tells me whether I die or not, matters not, if I die, I am present with the Lord, If I do not the Lord is present with me, either way anyone that does believe God is safe, at least me.
see the present now, a gift thank you Father and Son as Won

 

[Aaron56]

Some Christians are confused about the meaning of "Fire" in the scripture. I've heard some Christians seek for fire as if it was a great blessing. Yes it is, but it is all to easy to be deceived. "Fire" is not the Holy Spirit. It does not manifest physically or in signs and wonders. So what does it mean in reality?

John the Baptist announced Jesus as the Messiah, Luke 3:16. "He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." If the Holy Spirit was "fire", then what John said was unnecessary. Some Christians assume that the "tongues like flames of fire" (Acts 2:3) describe the Holy Spirit. No, the descending Holy Spirit looked like a flame, but that's all.

Fire in God's word is almost always negative. It usually has to do with judgement. Some may want judgement to come on their lives. Me, I much prefer mercy and grace. I don't need God to punish me. I create enough trouble all by myself! For example, I've just trashed our web site, simply by updating Wordpress. And I can't find the backup.

Hebrews 12:29: Our God is a consuming fire. That's no fun at all. So what is good about fire and why did Jesus want to start one? There are two aspects. One is the fire of judgement on the wicked that is yet to come. But there is also the cleansing fire that consumes what is not of Christ and not of faith in the Christian.

1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."

Brethren, you do not have to ask God for fire. It's part of our Christian experience. If more Christians realised this, they would find it easier to deal with life's problems in a positive way.

Be encouraged. Perhaps you see your works go up in flames (1 Corinthians 3:12). Our works are judged during our lifetimes. It can be devastating when we discover that God was not pleased with our best intentions. However, God has made a wonderful promise: He will give us His beauty for our ashes (Isaiah 61:3). It's an exchange. Instead of dressing in sackcloth and sitting on the pile of ashes, give them over to Jesus. Let Him give you His beauty instead.

We need to assured of God's love for us. God wants our very best. Sometimes He has to take away what is precious to us in order to give us greater blessing. "Fire" is not pleasant, but it is necessary.

Yeah, I always got a kick out of a church singing "Let Your Fire Fall".
I was like, dudes, I'm not waiting around for it to fall on me!

In all seriousness, the Spirit gave the church that song in spite of their ignorance. He was doing a work to cleanse the church (we are seeing it today) and so He made the people ready to receive the correction... some of them, any way. I am one who received it.

 

[Blain]

Yes, but what Gideon and I are cautioning against is the tendency of charismatics to equate emotionalism with being filled with the HS, when the whisper of GW needs to be valued. Their relationship is analogous to that of saving faith and works: faith precedes love (per GL 5:6), and right reasoning or interpretation of GW should guide one’s emotion.

I was not meaning to argue against that but while yes he does speak in a still small voice at times we also cannot forget or water down the holy spirit either. But being baptized by holy fire is another one that I hear people speak of along with regeneration and even these things are often times compared to fire from God.

Now each person may have their own stance on what that fire is but the end result must always end with one thing and is to point to Christ our Lord. personally I stand closer to the spiritual aspect of his holy fire than I do using reason and logic and that is mainly because I have had encounters concerning this but I do agree that being emotional is not the same thing that is something that kind of freaked me out once especially that supposed laughter of the holy spirit that lady laughing like a maniac just deeply disturbed me


I was visiting a pentecostal church for the first time and it really taught a lot about the fire of God but the fire they were praying for was for a revival and instead of seeing revival I just saw fake tongues insane laughter or crying and people jumping out of their seats and running around the room.

 

[studentoftheword]

Greek word for Fire and it's meaning in Scripture

Strong's Lexicon
pur: Fire
Original Word: πῦρ
Part of Speech: Noun, Neuter
Transliteration: pur
Pronunciation: poor
Phonetic Spelling: (poor)
Definition: Fire
Meaning: fire; the heat of the sun, lightning; fig: strife, trials; the eternal fire.

Word Origin: A primary word

Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: - H784 (אֵשׁ, 'esh): Fire

- H8316 (שְׂרֵפָה, s'rephah): Burning, fire

Usage: The Greek word "πῦρ" (pur) is commonly translated as "fire" in English. In the Bible, it is used both literally and metaphorically. Literally, it refers to physical fire, such as that used for cooking or burning. Metaphorically, it often symbolizes God's presence, judgment, purification, and the Holy Spirit.
Fire is a powerful element that can destroy but also purify and refine, making it a potent symbol in biblical texts.

Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient cultures, including those of the biblical world, fire was essential for daily life, used for cooking, warmth, and light. It also played a significant role in religious rituals and sacrifices. In the Old Testament, fire is frequently associated with God's presence, as seen in the burning bush (Exodus 3:2) and the pillar of fire that guided the Israelites (Exodus 13:21). In the New Testament, fire symbolizes the Holy Spirit, as seen at Pentecost (Acts 2:3).

HELPS Word-studies
4442 pýr – fire. In Scripture, fire is often used figuratively – like with the "fire of God" which transforms all it touches into light and likeness with itself

God's Spirit, like a holy fire, enlightens and purifies so that believers can share more and more in His likeness. Indeed the fire of God brings the uninterrupted privilege of being transformed which happens by experiencing faith from Him. Our lives can become true offerings to Him as we obey this imparted faith from God by His power.

[This is illustrated by God's fire burning continuously at the entrance of the Tabernacle where the priests made sweet-savor offerings. Compare Lev 6:12,13 with 1 Pet 2:5,9.]

AI Overview
Learn more

In the Bible, the tongues of fire in Acts 2 represent the miraculous ability to speak in other languages, which symbolized the universality of the Gospel.
This event also demonstrated the power of the Holy Spirit to fill people with divine empowerment:

I say
There is a difference between having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and having the infilling of the Holy Spirit ----

Elisha was filled with the Holy spirit when he was told to put a stick in the water and the axe head floated to the top of the water ---2 Kings 6

Good article on this for those interested
Tongues Of Fire
https://www.biblestudytools.com/dic...signified,after Pentecost are most noteworthy.

 

[shittim]

/LA Marzuli has interesting info to share on this, remember the burning bush of Moses story, that wasn't consumed? Remember in the desert the pillar of fire led the Israelites?
I tried to copy this at a pertinent place.
blessings

 

[montana123]

Some Christians are confused about the meaning of "Fire" in the scripture. I've heard some Christians seek for fire as if it was a great blessing. Yes it is, but it is all to easy to be deceived. "Fire" is not the Holy Spirit. It does not manifest physically or in signs and wonders. So what does it mean in reality?

John the Baptist announced Jesus as the Messiah, Luke 3:16. "He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." If the Holy Spirit was "fire", then what John said was unnecessary. Some Christians assume that the "tongues like flames of fire" (Acts 2:3) describe the Holy Spirit. No, the descending Holy Spirit looked like a flame, but that's all.

Fire in God's word is almost always negative. It usually has to do with judgement. Some may want judgement to come on their lives. Me, I much prefer mercy and grace. I don't need God to punish me. I create enough trouble all by myself! For example, I've just trashed our web site, simply by updating Wordpress. And I can't find the backup.

Hebrews 12:29: Our God is a consuming fire. That's no fun at all. So what is good about fire and why did Jesus want to start one? There are two aspects. One is the fire of judgement on the wicked that is yet to come. But there is also the cleansing fire that consumes what is not of Christ and not of faith in the Christian.

1 Peter 4:12
"Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."

Brethren, you do not have to ask God for fire. It's part of our Christian experience. If more Christians realised this, they would find it easier to deal with life's problems in a positive way.

Be encouraged. Perhaps you see your works go up in flames (1 Corinthians 3:12). Our works are judged during our lifetimes. It can be devastating when we discover that God was not pleased with our best intentions. However, God has made a wonderful promise: He will give us His beauty for our ashes (Isaiah 61:3). It's an exchange. Instead of dressing in sackcloth and sitting on the pile of ashes, give them over to Jesus. Let Him give you His beauty instead.

We need to assured of God's love for us. God wants our very best. Sometimes He has to take away what is precious to us in order to give us greater blessing. "Fire" is not pleasant, but it is necessary.

Luk 3:16 John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Luk 3:17 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

Mat 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels.

Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.

Rev 12:9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.

Rev 18:2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.

2Pe 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Psa 63:9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

Rev 20:14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.

Joh 14:2 In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.

Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

2Pe 3:13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.

The saints receive the Holy Spirt and with fire because all sin must be purged with fire.

The wicked that died in their sins cannot reverse their position but are wicked forever so they must be purged with fire for eternity.

All sin resides in the flesh and when the saints put off the flesh their soul is preserved.

But when the wicked are out of the flesh they have nowhere to put off the sin so they are tainted forever.

That is why fallen angels cannot be redeemed because they are one component so when they sinned there is nowhere to put off the sin so their whole being is tainted with no reversal.

It is the same with the wicked in the afterlife.

The heaven has been tainted by the fallen angels so it will melt with fervent heat.

The earth has been tainted by people so it will burn up and the works of it.

The wicked shall go into the lower parts of the earth which is where death, and hell are at.

The devils are cast to earth which becomes their holding cell.

All the wicked people, and angels are confined to the earth and the earth is cast in to the lake of fire for death, and hell were cast in to the lake of fire which is in the lower parts of the earth.

There is no renovation of the earth like there will be no renovation of people.

There will be a new earth that Jesus went to prepare wherein dwells righteousness where sin has never been, and sin will never be, and the former shall not be remembered, nor come to mind.

The saints and angels will remember nothing prior to the New Jerusalem, and will feel like they have always been there and nowhere else.

You will not remember anyone you knew on earth, and what you did, for to remember you would know of the earth, and the sin, and rebellion, but the former shall not be remembered.

 

[Aaron56]

There is no renovation of the earth like there will be no renovation of people.

Yes.

We are to reckon ourselves dead to sin. And when we are immersed into Christ Jesus, we are likewise immersed into His death. Our change is metamorphic: from death to life.

 

[GWH]

I was not meaning to argue against that but while yes he does speak in a still small voice at times we also cannot forget or water down the holy spirit either. But being baptized by holy fire is another one that I hear people speak of along with regeneration and even these things are often times compared to fire from God.

Now each person may have their own stance on what that fire is but the end result must always end with one thing and is to point to Christ our Lord. personally I stand closer to the spiritual aspect of his holy fire than I do using reason and logic and that is mainly because I have had encounters concerning this but I do agree that being emotional is not the same thing that is something that kind of freaked me out once especially that supposed laughter of the holy spirit that lady laughing like a maniac just deeply disturbed me


I was visiting a pentecostal church for the first time and it really taught a lot about the fire of God but the fire they were praying for was for a revival and instead of seeing revival I just saw fake tongues insane laughter or crying and people jumping out of their seats and running around the room.

That is because they equated emotionalism with being filled with the HS!

 

[Blain]

I mean nothing against people like that but the spirit speaks to the spirit and it just disturbed me inside.
The regenration thing is equally misunderstood

 

[Gideon300]

The hebrew word for fire is esh and the meaning has several meanings including judgement but it also is a metaphor for divine power. the holy spirit himself is not fire just he is also not the wind itself but the hebrew word for wind is spirit and the usage of fire in scripture can be seen as both a good and bad thing.

wind and fire can both be attributed to the holy spirit or God's divine power as fire can indeed destroy but it also gives light and if it burns down a forest or something eventually that field or forest grows back greener and more beautiful than before it is a very symbolic thing just as wind is as only wind can enahnce the flames of a fire which is why you fan the flames.

But in regard to the holy spirit he can in fact take form of fire or at least appear as fire but this is empowerment of the believer it gives life

You miss the point. I said that the Holy Spirit appeared like flames of fire. I've attended many meetings where people have been baptised in the Holy Spirit. Not once have I seen the appearance of fire. The Holy Spirit came on Jesus in the form of a dove. I've not seen that either.

As I said, the vast majority of Bible references to fire are in terms of judgement. Jesus rebuked the disciples for wanting to call down fire on some Samaritans. Sure, fire is God's cleansing agent. But there is no need to ask God for it. It will come anyway.

I asked God to send me a trial so that I could know where I was spiritually. It was one of the truly idiotic things I've prayed. My life fell apart within days. I lost my job, had little money, my car had problems and I struggled to deal with it all. Some time later , the Lord showed me my folly. He reminded me that the Lord's prayer includes "Do not lead me into hard testing".

Be careful what you pray for. You might get it.

There was a phenomenon called the Toronto Blessing in the 1990's. It's been around since the start of the 1900's, but only in isolated incidents such as the Azusa St revival and the Welsh revival to a lesser extent. I spoke to many Christians at the time as I wanted to know the source. They told me about phenomena that were obviously satanic in origin. Ignorance is no bliss. It is dangerous. Such things are the lying signs and wonders that Jesus warned us would come. Seeking God's fire was a common theme during the period the TB was going on. I seek God's mercy and grace, not His judgement. Jesus has been judged already for my sins. That's good enough for me.