Stir It Up

Stir It Up

By Steve Backlund

“Therefore, I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” (2 Timothy 1:6-7). The Greek word translated “stir up” denotes the kindling of a fire, as by bellows (a device that provides a strong blast of air). We learn from these verses:

• Just as a fire can go out due to inattention, our spiritual gifts can do the same

• We have potential that can go unrealized

• Fear keeps us from growth and increase

Three ways to stir up (and increase) the gifts in you:

1. Strengthen your identity beliefs - We cannot consistently do what we don’t believe we are. We do not wait to see fruit to believe. We “call those things that do not exist as though they did” (Romans 4:17).

2. Learn more about these gifts - “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6). Our potential is ruined through ignorance. Learn from those who are experienced and successful in what you want to grow in. 

3. Practice, Practice, Practice - Whatever gift we want to stir up and grow in (speaking, healing, finances, prophesying, youthwork, hospitality, pastoring, word of knowledge, etc.), it is crucial we find ways to consistently exercise the gift. “But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness” (1 Timothy 4:7).

For me, to “stir up” is more than increasing specific gifts, but it is also about “fanning into flame” my passion for Jesus and for life. It is similar to keeping a natural fire going in a fireplace or while camping.  

At our home in Northern California, we live on five acres with a lot of trees and vegetation. Every winter, there is a need to burn branches, leaves, etc. A few weeks ago, a perfect day came up where the ground was damp and burning was permitted. My burn pile speaks to me about keeping the fire of enthusiasm and passion going within my life (breaking off passivity and doing things out of duty and obligation). To have a blazing fire, we cannot put big chunks of wet wood on it while we are trying to get it going.  Just as natural fire will have difficulty burning with wet wood, the fire in our lives will not burn well if we put the following on it. 

• Media and social media - It is hard to have fire in life when drenched with the worry and anger most of the media wants to produce.

• Old Covenant connection to God - If we are more focused on our behavior (works of the law) than our beliefs, then guilt, pride, and unhealthy relational motivational techniques will hinder our fire. 

• Believing lies about God, ourselves, others, and our circumstances - This creates a lack of hope because our hope-level is the indicator of whether we are renewing our minds with lies or truth. Hope is the accelerant that keeps our fire blazing. 
  

Here are six things to add to our fire to increase its intensity:

1. The 17 most important chapters of the Bible - As we get these 17 chapters in us, we will have the fire of the right relationship with God, New Covenant realities and grace (the empowerment to do God’s will). Those chapters are - Galatians 1-6, Ephesians 1-3, Colossians 1-2, Romans 4-8, Hebrews 4.

2. “Eagle” relationships - It is good to “hang out” with people who have more fire than we do! This can be a personal relationship, through books, conferences, mentorships, etc. If we hang out with eagles, we will become an eagle. 

3. Inspiring media - This causes us to keep the fire going and makes it more difficult to go into low places.

4. Celebrating successes - Most mornings, I will write down the areas I see myself doing well. As I celebrate progress and not perfection, my fire increases.

5. Imagination - My wife, Wendy, calls our imagination the “womb of faith”. Our imaginations are not made to be the devil’s playground. Instead, we can use our imaginations to see what God has promised and dream about what He has for us.

6. Speaking life - It is impossible to think a lie when we speak the truth. “Life is in the power of the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). As we speak faith declarations over ourselves, it is one of the best ways to fan into the flame our great purpose and identity in God. 
   

We are not people waiting for someone else to encourage us. We take ownership of our passion and growth. Right now, God is releasing a grace over us to stir ourselves up in ways that will astound us. Our personal victory and gifts will increase exponentially. We are alive for such a time as this to live out Isaiah 60. “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the Lord will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising” (Isaiah 60:1-3).