The word “revival” is being thrown around a lot these days, as if it carries a special anointing when used. Hire a superstar worship leader or a well-known pastor, throw together a service, and it’s a “revival.”
But that is not revival.
Revival is a sovereign act of God that can’t be worked up — it must be brought down. He provides the fire if we provide the sacrifice.
Damaged Goods
Spiritual damage is done when people think they are experiencing revival, but in reality, they are not.
Some preachers put on a show — and although most Christians agree that it is just a show, what about those who are caught up in it? Do they then lead others astray? Become prideful? Or, when time goes by and the blessing/healing doesn’t materialize, do they become depressed or lose hope? Nothing good comes from counterfeit revival.
What would the Apostles say about some of these shows? Where’s the fear of the Lord? Where’s the reverence? Where’s the repentance? Without these three elements, you can call it what you want, but it’s not revival.
Granted, I do believe that there have been incredible outpourings such as what we’ve seen on college campuses and at some churches over the last few years, but overall, the word “revival” is being misused.
In biblical terms, the word “revival” is often used in a prayer asking God to revive His work and to fill His people with a fresh anointing: “Will You not revive us again, that Your people may rejoice in You?” (Psalm 85:6).
God Breaks Us in Order to Remake Us
In my new book, I Almost Quit, I discuss the absolute necessity of being broken by God and how He continues to break us — which is the true mechanism of revival. You can watch my interview with Pastor Jack Hibbs for more.
If He is breaking and humbling you through situations or circumstances, burying you in obscurity — with your “likes” and “followers” decreasing, friendships fading, and your church/ministry not growing — then you must face it and embrace it. If He is not growing your ministry, perhaps it is so He can grow your character. Brokenness isn’t fun, but it is powerful: God breaks in order to remake. The power of revival only flows through broken vessels.
Don’t misunderstand: God often grows a church, elevates a person, or expands a ministry. Growth can be a sign of spiritual health. However, the higher you go in ministry, the deeper you must go in the prayer closet.
The more God exalts you, the more you must humble yourself. The more He uses you, the more you must serve others. Spiritual height requires spiritual depth.
Revival Isn’t Sparked by Advertisement
Gone are the days of the great Scottish and Welsh revivals or the Great Awakenings in America, when men and women cried out to God in extended prayer meetings. John Wesley and George Whitefield spent countless hours on horseback in the 1700s to get to such meetings. They saw little movement of the Spirit initially, but they wouldn’t be moved themselves. They pressed in because they understood the true definition of seeking God with all their hearts. Seeking God is not convenient. We must pursue, press in, and prioritize His Presence in order to see revival.
There were no big names. No Facebook ads or Instagram boosts. No selfies, self-centeredness, or self-promotion. Just hungry believers praying that God would rend the heavens again (Isaiah 64:1).
There’s nothing wrong with posting things now and then. God wants us to get the message out, but we must continually examine our hearts and motives while doing it. Many pastors and influencers are too busy jockeying for position and growing their “brand” to seek the heart of revival.
Revival Is Rarely Convenient
Our church is known for having seasons of spiritual awakenings, and because of that, many are under the impression that God planted us in a large metropolitan area of Los Angeles County. But the truth is, He tucked us back in the rolling hills of a small rural community.
The location is not “convenient” for most people. It takes effort to reach us. To many, our location doesn’t make sense, but to God, it makes perfect sense: “God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty (1 Corinthians 1:27).
I have found that God rarely “makes sense.” Despite things I’ve heard over the years, such as, “How can you live in California, especially in such a broken area of Los Angeles County?” I know that God has called us for such a time as this: The light of revival often falls in the darkest places. The safest place on earth is in the center of His will.
In order for God to rend the heavens and rain down revival (Isaiah 64:1), the soil of our hearts must first be tilled. We must break up the fallow ground of pride, kill ulterior motives, repent of self-exaltation, and deal with besetting sins.
Don’t wait for someone else to spark revival; fuel the flame in your own heart. God often brought seasons of revival to the least likely, not necessarily the megaministries or multicampus facilities, but through the desperate seekers who fasted for a downpour and prayed for God to rip open the heavens.
Will you pray today for your own heart to be spiritually awakened?
Shane Idleman is the founder and lead pastor of Westside Christian Fellowship in Southern California and the creator of the WCF Radio Network. His program, Regaining Lost Ground, points us back to God and reminds us that although times change, truth does not. His books, blogs, and sermons can all be found at ShaneIdleman.com.
