Running on Empty? You Can't Borrow Someone Else's Fire

Reignite | Your spiritual flame needs more than hype.

There’s a difference between being on fire for God and simply being around others who are.

Jesus told a story that gets to the heart of this. You might know it—the parable of the ten virgins waiting for the bridegroom (Matthew 25:1–13). They all had lamps. They all looked ready. But when the moment came, only half of them had oil.

“The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’” — Matthew 25:8 (NIV)

But the wise couldn’t give theirs away. Why? Because oil, the kind Jesus is talking about, can’t be transferred second-hand. You can’t borrow someone else’s faithfulness. You can’t outsource intimacy. When the door opened, the ones who were ready entered in. The rest? Locked out.

This is one of the most sobering parables Jesus tells. Not because it’s harsh, but because it’s honest. Our bridegroom King is coming. And when He does, you can’t rely on proximity to be ready. You have to be ready yourself.

What Keeps the Flame Burning?

In the biblical world, oil was used to anoint kings, sustain light, and mark something as holy. Symbolically, it speaks of the Holy Spirit, of intimacy, of inner life with God. But oil didn’t just symbolise God’s presence, oil keeps the fire burning.

You can have the best lamp in the world, but without oil, it won’t burn.

It’s not enough to go to church, hang around Christians, or repeat spiritual language.

What fuels your fire is your communion with God Himself—the secret,
surrendered life, saturated in His Spirit.

Like the manna in the wilderness, yesterday’s supply isn’t enough for today. We need fresh oil.

These five wise bridesmaids weren’t just better planners. They’d cultivated something. They’d prioritised the presence of God in secret places, even when nothing seemed urgent. They’d kept their spiritual tanks filled—not out of panic or performance, but out of love.

That’s the invitation.

We can look the part: serve on Sundays, keep up appearances, do all the right ‘Christian’ things. But without oil, our lives don’t shine. We might flicker with borrowed faith for a time, but true, lasting light requires something deeper.

It requires fresh filling.

Staying Full in a Demanding World

Being filled with the Spirit isn’t a one-time experience. Ephesians 5:18 urges us, literally in the Greek, to “keep on being filled with the Spirit.” It’s a continual, daily receiving. A posture of open-heartedness. A return to the well that never runs dry.

And it’s not for the spiritually elite. If you’ve ever felt unworthy or inadequate, hear Jesus’ promise:

“How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” — Luke 11:13 (NIV)

You don’t have to manufacture fire. You just have to make room.

What Does Keeping Oil Look Like?

• It looks like saying yes to prayer when it feels costly.

• It looks like staying in the Word when your phone is shouting louder.

• It looks like stopping to listen—even when it’s inconvenient.

It’s not about striving. It’s about intimacy. And intimacy takes intention.

These things don’t earn the oil.
But they do make space to be filled.

Keeping oil isn’t about spiritual performance.
It’s about letting the Holy Spirit refresh you again and again.

It’s about returning to the quiet, hidden places—where no one sees but God—and asking, “Fill me again, Lord.” We stay ready not by striving, but by staying near.
And as we stay near, He keeps the fire alive.

A Prayer for Oil in the Lamp

Lord, I don’t want to live on empty. I want to be filled with You—Your presence, Your power, Your peace. Help me not to rely on borrowed faith, but to draw near myself. Teach me to tend to my heart like a lamp—ready, trimmed, burning bright. Amen.

Where are you running on empty?

Where might Jesus be inviting you to pause, slow down, and receive fresh oil?

You don’t need to hustle your way to holiness. You just need to stay close to the source.

If this spoke to you…

Send it on to someone else who might be tired, dry, or running on fumes. And if you’ve seen God restore your flame before, I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

Jesus is still calling His people to be ready. Let’s be found with full lamps and burning hearts.

Grace and peace,🔥
Em