Photo by Patrick Konior
Elevation Worship is a church-led band that was created in 2007. They join Bethel Music and Hillsong as the “big three” that has the biggest reach in modern Christian music. They released many albums and EP’s.
They also won nine awards, including two Billboard for Top Christian Artist (2021) and Top Christian Song (Graves into Gardens, 2021), and two GMA Dove awards for Spanish Language Album of the Year (Aleluya (En La Tierra), 2020) and Worship Recorded Song of the Year (The Blessing (Live), 2020).
Also, check out my other Elevation Worship reviews.
Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site! Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review. I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.
1. What message does the song communicate?
Elevation wants to live sacrificially for Jesus amid recognition that Christ made their lungs used to worship. They invite Jesus into their heart and the Holy Spirit to rest upon them. Everything that God has spoken will come to pass, including life to those who are His.
My chief complaint is the “all consuming flame” inside us, which is more about God’s judgment in destruction than burning away bad things within us. Section 2 contains a deeper analysis of this concept.
Side Note: To those annoyed by massive repetition, Bridge essentially repeats the same two lines 5 times and another half of a time. Outro also contains a quad block with two lines on repeat.
Score: 8/10
2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?
Almost the entire song aligns with God’s inspired Word, except for “consuming fire” in Chorus. This refers to destruction, which is not something Christians will experience (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).
Lyrics posted with permission.*
[Verse 1]
Lord, let my life be an altar
As summarized in Romans 12:1.
Light up my lungs with Your praise
‘Cause I can’t breathe until You breathe
So breathe on me
The life that Elevation has to worship God ultimately comes from Him (Genesis 1:1-3, Nehemiah 9:6, Psalm 8:3-8, Psalm 33:6, Psalm 96:5, Proverbs 3:19, Isaiah 37:16, Isaiah 42:5, Isaiah 45:18, Isaiah 66:1-2, John 1:1-3, Ephesians 3:9, Colossians 1:16, and Revelation 4:11).
Let my life be an altar
Essentially repeats line 1.
[Interlude (1)]
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Calls out to Casper the friendly ghost.
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Repeats line 1.
[Pre-Chorus]
This is a moment when wind meets fire
Come on in
Our hearts are burning for fresh revival
Blow again
Most likely references Acts 2:1-4, where the Holy Spirit came like a rushing wind and appeared as fire upon the heads of Jesus’ disciples during Pentecost after Jesus ascended.
This is a moment when wind meets fire
Come on in
Our hеarts are burning for fresh revival
Blow again
Repeats lines 1-4.
[Chorus]
Our God is consuming firе
Our God is a Holy wind
This is probably meant to be a reference back to Pre-Chorus. God’s “consuming fire” appears in Deuteronomy 4:24 and Hebrews 12:29. However, the way that Elevation uses it is incorrect. They mean “consume” to be a good thing, but the Bible says otherwise.
Deuteronomy 4:21-24 is about God’s anger and judgment. Moses tells the Israelites that he will not enter the promised land because he sinned (Numbers 20:8-13 and Deuteronomy 32:51–52). He warns Israel not to commit idolatry because God is a jealous God; a “consuming fire”. Jealous not because He is envious, but because of Israel’s unfaithfulness (compare Merriam-Webster definitions 1 and 2b).
Regarding Hebrews 12:29, the context begins in Verse 26, which quotes from Haggai 2:6. Notice in Hebrews 12:26 that it’s not just the earth that shakes. It is also heaven! Haggai 2 also mentions the heaven(s) shaking. There is also the “once more” that appears in both passages, denoting a future event. Hebrews 12:27 talks about the shaking process, leaving behind the Kingdom of God that cannot be shaken (Hebrews 12:28). Then, finally, it adds God as a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), which takes us back to God’s judgment in Deuteronomy.
Where else in Scripture does it talk about heaven and earth shaking, God’s judgment, and the unshakable Kingdom? The book of Revelation! Specifically, the seventh bowl of wrath (Revelation 16:17-21), Christ’s judgment on unbelievers (Revelation 19:11-21 and Revelation 20:11-15), and new Jerusalem (Revelation 21:1-27).
Thus, Elevation is asking God to bring wrath and judgment on them, which is unbiblical.
Whatever You speak is done
God’s Word is true (John 17:17).
Whatever You touch will live
God will have mercy on whomever He wishes (Exodus 33:19 and Romans 9:15-16).
Our God is consuming fire
Our God is a holy wind
Whatever You speak is done
Whatever You touch will live
Whatever You speak is done
Whatever You touch will live
Whatever You speak is
Repeats/essentially repeats lines 1-4.
[Bridge]
So come on in, come on in
References Revelation 3:20.
Whatever You touch will live
Repeats Chorus, line 4.
Come on in, come on in, Jesus
Whatever You touch will live
Come on in, come on in
Whatever You touch will live
Come on in, come on in
Whatever You touch will live
Come on in, come on in
Whatever You touch will live
Come on in, come on in
Repeats/essentially repeats lines 1 and 2. Jesus is named explicitly in line 3.
This is
Repeats the beginning part of Pre-Chorus, line 1.
[Interlude (2)]
So breathe on me
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Holy Spirit, breathe
Casper reference notwithstanding, see commentary on Pre-Chorus, lines 1-4.
Holy Spirit, breathe
Oh, oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh
Repeats lines 4 and 5.
[Outro]
You ask, can these bones live again?
References Ezekiel 37:3.
And then, I hear Your voice answer with wind
That is, yes. See Chorus, line 4.
You ask, can these bones live again?
And then, I hear Your voice answer with wind
You ask, can these bones live again?
And then, I hear Your voice answer with wind, oh
You ask, can these bones live again?
And then, I hear Your voice answer with wind
Repeats/essentially repeats lines 1 and 2.
Score: 8/10
3. How would an outsider interpret the song?
This song is thick with Christianese language, yet, still easy for unbelievers to follow along. Jesus is mentioned explicitly, alongside the Holy Spirit and the word “God”, pointing them towards a Christian interpretation. This song is about worship with a voice that God made.
Some unbelievers will likely be put off by the idea that God is a consuming fire.
Score: 8/10
4. What does this song glorify?
It glorifies Jesus and the Holy Spirit as objects of worship and their roles to save, revitalize, and push Elevation towards life-giving transformation and to praise Him with their words and deeds. However, Elevation’s usage of “consuming fire” is not consistent with Scripture.
Score: 8/10
Closing Comments
Elevation Worship’s When Wind Meets Fire is mostly good. It calls us to personally sacrifice for Jesus, living for Him in all aspects of our lives. It also invites Christ and the Holy Spirit to permeate our bodies, reminding us that they created us. These bring Him glory. However, Elevation errs when they speak of the consuming fire that is Biblically about judgment on themselves. Aside from resisting the last point, unbelievers should easily interpret similarly.
I cannot recommend this song for corporate worship.
Final Score: 8/10
Artist Info
Track: When Wind Meets Fire (listen to the song)
Artist: Elevation Worship (Feat. Chris Brown & Tiffany Hudson)
Album: When Wind Meets Fire
Genre: Rock
Release Year: 2024
Duration: 7:11
Agree? Disagree? Don’t be shy or have a cow! Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.
*Copyright © 2024 Music by Elevation Worship Publishing (BMI) / Elevation Worship Publishing2 (ASCAP) / Little Ruddy Fellow Songs (BMI) / Bell Music Publishing (BMI) (admin at EssentialMusicPublishing.com), UR Creative (admin at CapitolCMGPublishing.com). All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Updates:
11/18/2024 – The conclusion, genre, and duration somehow didn’t make it through when this song went live. Thanks to Tyeisha and Randy Stiles for discovering this!
Related reviews:
Elevation Worship (Feat. Chris Brown) – Another One
Elevation Worship (Feat. Tiffany Hudson) – Sure Been Good
Elevation Worship (Feat. Tiffany Hudson) – Forever YHWH
Elevation Worship & Leeland (Feat. Chris Brown) – What A Miracle
Church of the City (Feat. Chris McClarney) – He Lives
Elevation Worship – Only King Forever
Elevation Rhythm (Feat. Gracie Binion) – Goodbye Yesterday
Comments
William
To be honest, I thought you would have more problems with the first, and repeated line “Lord, let my life be an altar”. That’s the one with which I’m having trouble.
Possibly over-analysing, but how are we to BOTH “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service” AND “be an altar”?
The altar, to me at least, has always been God’s domain, representing His grace, mercy, longsuffereing and forgiveness.
William
Is consuming fire always of judgement in condemnation?
Leviticus 6:8-9 “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: It is the burnt offering, because of the burning upon the altar all night unto the morning, and the fire of the altar shall be burning in it’.”
12-13 “And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.”
Leviticus 9:24 “And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.”
2nd Chronicles 7:1-3 “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’S house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.”
Numbers 31:23 “Every thing that may abide the fire, ye shall make it go through the fire, and it shall be clean: nevertheless it shall be purified with the water of separation: and all that abideth not the fire ye shall make go through the water.”
1st Kings 18:38-39 “Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, ‘The LORD, he is the God! The LORD, he is the God!’.”
Isaiah 48:9-11 “For my name’s sake will I defer mine anger, and for my praise will I refrain for thee, that I cut thee not off. Behold, I have refined thee, but not with silver; I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction. For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.”
Isaiah 61:3 “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.”
Jeremiah 23:28-29 “The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD. Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?”
Malachi 3:1-3 “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.”
Matthew 3:11-12 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
Luke 24:32 “And they said one to another, ‘Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?’”
Romans 12:1-2 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
1st Corinthians 3:11-15 “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.”
1st Peter 1:6-9 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
1st John 1:8-9 “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Hebrews 12:25-29 “See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.”
Our God is like a refiner’s fire. His fire sanctifies what was once unholy. His fire refines and purifies. His fire burn off the dross.
It is His fire alone that will cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Jason Henry
The confusion regarding the nature of God as a “consuming fire” reminds me of the use of Psalm 42:7 “deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls” in worship songs. To us, that poetic image might suggest peace, beauty, and depth of connection with God, but the Psalm is actually a lament, the Psalmist has been overwhelmed and defeated. It strikes me as odd when we reference these verses to mean kind of the opposite of what they meant to the writers.
Randy Stiles
What is the closing comment? My phone says “Elevation Worship’s ‘When Wind Meets Fire’ is” (there is no reason listed – just blank space)
Tyeisha
Great review Vince. It looks like you forgot to finish your closing comments though. It’s incomplete. Also, is this song supposed to be under miscellaneous?