WHAT SUSTAINS A FIRE FOR GOD IN THE HUMAN HEART?
Have you ever watched someone who was once on fire for Jesus slowly lose their passion? Maybe they used to talk about Him constantly, pray with intensity, and worship like nothing else mattered. But over time, that fire dimmed. They didn’t wake up one day and decide to walk away—it happened gradually, almost imperceptibly.
Drifting from Jesus rarely happens in a single moment of failure. What draws us away is typically far more subtle: dullness.
Robert Capon once wrote, “We are in a war between dullness and astonishment.” And if I’ve learned anything in my 15 years of walking with Jesus, it’s that this war is real. Our outward behavior is just a symptom of something deeper. The gospel was never about behavior modification—it’s about a heart so gripped by Jesus that transformation becomes inevitable.
Jesus knew how easy it was for people to claim faith in Him while their hearts drifted far away.
In Matthew 7:22–23, Jesus describes a sobering scene:
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’”
The desire of Jesus is not simply what we do for Him—it’s who we become through Him. The people who accomplish the most for the Kingdom are those whose hearts have been gripped by astonishment.
Astonishment Awakens Zeal
A heart seized with wonder doesn’t have to manufacture zeal.
I remember when my perspective on my wife, Kayla, suddenly changed. We had been friends for years, but one day, I saw her differently. From that moment on, pursuit was inevitable. The zeal in my pursuit wasn’t something I had to force; it was the byproduct of becoming astonished.
When the gospel becomes dull to us, we inevitably direct our affections toward lesser things. So, what is it that sustains a fire for God in the human heart?
Astonishment with Jesus. This is the key for sustaining a heart on fire.
Distraction constantly threatens to steal or misdirect our affections. I’m often amazed at how easy it is to read Scripture and remain unmoved. This is the fruit of a distracted heart. Take Romans 5:6, for example:
“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.”
Does that move you when you read it? Are you comprehending what Paul is saying? Or has it become so familiar that it no longer stirs your soul?
Charles Spurgeon once commented on this verse by saying, “Gratitude for such favor stands dressed in robes of wonder.” But too often, the opposite is true for us: “Familiarity with this truth sleeps under the spell of dullness.”
We don’t need more head knowledge—we need our hearts to quake under the weight of revelation. Michael Reeves captures it well when he wrote: “He is not a truth to be known unaffectedly. Seen clearly, the dazzling beauty and splendor of God must cause our hearts to quake.”
The Spirit Awakens Astonishment
The Spirit longs to glorify Jesus. While our flesh craves created things—comfort, status, and approval—the Spirit yearns for Christ. As Tim Keller puts it, “The Spirit longs to show us Christ and to conform us to Christ.” Jesus tells us that, “He will take what is mine and declare it to you.” (John 16:14)
This longing is not distant but deeply personal. The Spirit desires to captivate our hearts, to awaken us to the magnificence of Jesus. As He reveals Christ to us, our affections shift. Suddenly, our love for Him eclipses every lesser desire, and we find that He is what our hearts were made for.
This new affection doesn’t merely coexist with old loves—it overtakes them.
There is a story in Luke chapter 7 where a sinful woman begins to wash the feet of Jesus with her tears and pour perfume over them. The Pharisee who was present could not understand why Jesus was allowing this. Dull hearts can’t comprehend extravagant worship. Jesus goes on to tell the Pharisee that because she was forgiven much, she loved much. It’s the extravagance of the gospel that makes the heart astonished.
Paul prayed that “the eyes of our hearts would be enlightened” and that we would receive “a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.” When the Holy Spirit illuminates the truth of who Jesus is and what he has done, it grips us so deeply that it changes us.
This is the Spirit’s work in us—awakening astonishment by revealing Jesus. If we want a sustained fire for God in our hearts, it comes by the Spirit revealing Jesus to our hearts. Our external actions will always be the byproduct of what is happening at an internal level. An astonished heart results in an extravagant life for Jesus.
3 Practical Takeaways for Staying Astonished with Jesus
Ask the Holy Spirit to Give You an Astonished Heart
Don’t just read about Jesus, ask the Holy Spirit to make Him real to you. Pray like Paul in Ephesians 1:17-18, asking God to open your eyes and illuminate your heart with who He really is. The goal isn’t just knowing about Him but becoming seized by Him. Pray this prayer everyday for the next five days and watch your heart come alive.Check What’s Stealing Your Awe
What’s got your attention? If your heart feels numb to Jesus, it’s time to check what’s been filling your mind. Social media, Netflix, etc.—if it’s keeping you from being astonished by God, it’s time to turn from those things and turn toward Jesus. Get rid of the unnecessary distractions that aren’t feeding your soul.Stir Your Heart Towards Him
Loving Jesus isn’t about doing more—it’s about being with Him. Find what stirs your heart for Him, whether it’s worship, deep conversations with friends, or just being alone with your bible and a journal. Whatever it is, be present with Jesus there. Let him speak to you.