12/02/2015
Aggressive Interior Firefighters by Keith Helms
Most fire departments want to be known for their aggressive, interior firefighters. They train and equip their members to safely enter a burning structure to fight the battle at its source.
Typically, the Command Staff knows who they can rely on; they also know the firefighters that prefer to stay outside. While I acknowledge that there are times when you have to go defensive, the problem is that there are firefighters who never want to go inside. They refuse to face the challenge of getting close enough to actually engage in the battle.
As an IC, I was fortunate to have a battalion (Batt. 4-A) of officers and firefighters that could be counted on to aggressively fight the fire. Going defensive was not the predominate strategy. Getting inside was always the desired approach. Time after time, the crews entered the structure; and time after time, the fire was controlled without further damage to the structure.
We all face a similar problem with sin. Many prefer to deal with sin without dealing with the source. The real problem resides inside. Matthew 23:25- 28 illustrates the difference between an interior attack and an external attack on sin.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people's bones and all uncleanness. So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.”
Failing to be an aggressive, interior “sinfighter” will result in superficial changes. Christ desires followers who will fight sin at its core. He wants changed hearts. His disciples are not afraid to face the interior battle. They are empowered by the Holy Spirit to attack the enemy (Romans 8:12-17), just as good firefighters are trained and equipped for interior firefighting. Face the enemy interiorly; that is where you will find the victory.
For further study:
• Ps. 51:6-12; 139:23-24
• Prov. 16:2; 17:3
• 1 Sam. 16:7
• Jer. 11:20; 17:9-10; 20:12
• Amos 5:21-24
• Luke 19:15
• 1 Cor. 4:5
• 2 Cor. 10:7
• Heb. 4:12-13
