Body Temperature and Fever as Object Lesson
Inner Fire, Body Temperature, and Purification
1. The Inner Fire as Part of God’s Image
God is a consuming fire (Deuteronomy 4:24; Hebrews 12:29).
Man was created in the image of God, so within us there is an inner fire — both spiritual and physical.
This fire can:
Warm and give life (righteous state).
Burn and destroy (sinful state).
2. Physical Temperature as a Symbol of Spiritual State
Normal body temperature — a picture of harmony with God, when the inner fire is under control.
Fever — a picture of how God “raises spiritual heat” to destroy sin, just as body temperature destroys viruses.
Hypothermia — spiritual coldness, apathy, lack of love and faith.
Overheating — uncontrolled anger, rage, pride, or false religious fanaticism.
3. The Tongue and the Fire
James 3:6 says the tongue is a fire, set on fire by hell.
Our words can ignite the inner fire in others — either God’s fire (inspiring, purifying) or the devil’s fire (destructive, scorching).
Wrong words raise the “temperature” of the soul to the point where it begins to break down.
4. God’s Fire Purifies, Not Destroys
Just as body temperature fights a virus, God’s fire destroys sin but preserves the person.
The righteous will be able to dwell in God’s fire forever because their inner fire is in harmony with God’s fire.
The sinner cannot endure God’s heat because their inner fire is corrupted and opposed to His.
5. The Danger of Suppressing the Purifying Heat
Lowering temperature with medicine is a picture of suppressing God’s rebuke and the call to repentance through excuses, false comfort, or distraction.
This prevents cleansing and allows the “virus of sin” to continue destroying the soul.
6. Practical Conclusions
Keep the inner fire in balance: do not quench it (1 Thess. 5:19) and do not ignite it to destruction.
Watch your words — they are like “fuel” for someone else’s fire.
Do not fear “spiritual temperature” when God raises it for purification — this is a healing process.
Seek harmony between your inner fire and God’s fire, so you can dwell in His presence forever.
