Rom. 12:20, “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.”

The above passage is quoted from Prov. 25:21, “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt HEAP COALS OF FIRE UPON HIS HEAD, and the LORD shall reward thee,” a synergy between the Old and the New Testament as always.

“Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head.”

This phrase is a metaphor taken from smelting metals. The ore is put into the furnace, and fire put both under and over, that the metal becomes liquefied, and leaving the dirt and dross, falls down pure to the bottom of the furnace.

It is clearly evident, therefore, that the whole of this passage and the Apostle’s use of it, that is “the heaping of the coals of fire upon the head” of the enemy is meant to produce not an evil but the most beneficial effect; and the following verse of 22 gives further proof of this. Look at it;

Prov. 25:21, “If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: 22 For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee.”

Msg. Prov. 25:21, “If you see your enemy hungry, go buy him lunch; if he’s thirsty, bring him a drink. 22 Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and God will look after you.”

So why will God reward you or take care of you for heaping coals of fire on people’s heads if it is meant to destroy or kill them? Will God be rewarding you for doing evil?

Can’t you see you are losing quite a reward from God for being involved in these fire killing prayers? Can’t you see how far this doctrine has shifted you from the center of God’s love for mankind?

God so loved that He sent His only begotten son. He gave the best gift to His enemies to reconcile them back to Himself. But instead of you imitating God to bless mankind, you are involved in killing people with H-o-l-y G-h-o-s-t F-i-r-e prayers.

“God rewards you in your generosity even to your enemies.” That’s exactly what this passage is all about.

“Thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head,” meaning not to consume them but to melt them into kindness; a metaphor taken from smelting metallic ores as said earlier.

So Paul is saying by your kindness, mercy and generosity you will melt, soften and weaken your enemies’ spirits towards you, just as the hardest metals such as silver and gold are melted by coals of fire.

By implication, there is no heart so stony that this fire cannot melt or hardened nature that meekness will not appease and soften no matter how rigid that individual’s heart is.

True love and mercy can melt an enemy; and even force him by a sweet compulsion to become a friend, no matter how rough and rugged such an individual may be.

It is therefore imperative to note that to conquer and overcome an enemy by love and kindness is the noblest conquest; and such a glorious victory it is to melt him down by bringing him into favour and in good affection in life. And that is the part God took in redeeming man back to Himself in Christ.

Therefore beloved;

Msg. Rom. 12:21, “Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.”

Amp. Rom. 12:21, “Do not let yourself be overcome by evil, but overcome (master) evil with good.”

So “Dear friends, never avenge yourselves. Leave that to God, for he has said that he will repay those who deserve it. Don’t take the law into your own hands. Instead, feed your enemy if he is hungry. If he is thirsty give him something to drink and you will be “heaping coals of fire on his head. In other words, he will feel ashamed of himself for what he has done to you. 21 Don’t let evil get the upper hand, but conquer evil by doing good,” (Rom. 12:19-21 TLB).

This is how to heap coals of fire on people’s heads, doing good to them and showing them mercy. These fire prayers have no bearing with the will and love of God.

Next will be THE SPIRIT that the New Testament believer is made up of.

To be continued…