“We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us“. 2 Corinthians 4.7 KJV
Try to imagine what life was like after the sun went down before electric lights were invented. Without moonlight, it it was absolutely dark everywhere! Ancient lamps using oil and a wick of some kind were used for centuries to illuminate homes, and whenever anyone needed to move about after dark. No wonder the Bible uses light to describe God’s presence, and oil lamps to illustrate the believer’s relationship with the indwelling Holy Spirit. Jesus is the light of the world, and his spirit is the treasure we have in our earthen vessels.
Smoking Flax
In Isaiah 42.3 we read that “the smoking flax shall he not quench“. Everyone knew even way back then that when a lamp’s oil was used up, the flax wick began to smoke offensively, and the lamp suddenly grew very dim. It’s the OIL that produces light: Not the lamp itself. This passage by the way, demonstrates God’s patience with his believers who may mean well, but who are foolishly walking in their own strength and direction, rather than yielding to God’s Spirit instead.
Holy Spirit Ministry
It’s important then, to be sure you’re moving in a Holy Spirit ministry rather than in your own direction and strength. That requires genuine humility, which some find easier to maintain than others. Any Christian can find himself alternating between walking “in the flesh” and “in the spirit”. Your job to be sensitive to which from moment to moment, and to repent every time you slip. Always think, “Less of me: More of him”. Empty yourself of pride and self-confidence. “Thy Kingdom come: THY will be done.” Of course you’ll fall sometimes, but remember the promise. “The smoking flax he will not quench.”
I remember reading once that when Billy Graham felt that his message went well, only a few people came forward. But often when he felt that it didn’t go as well, that was when the most people responded.
Every Christian should keep one key truth in mind: In the Kingdom of God, anything you do without Christ is that smoking lamp. We should instead abide fully in Christ, and to be obedient to the Holy Spirit’s leading at all times. To that end, it’s always a good idea to consciously ASK GOD TO TAKE OVER in the moments before approaching any Kingdom of God ministry situation. It can be a simple “Not my words, but yours”. Then when that ministry begins, TRUST that his spirit is doing exactly that.