2. Revival is just emotional hype.
Some people have formed a negative opinion on revival based on excesses they have seen in so-called “revivals.” There have been serious abuses in the name of the Holy Spirit during these “movements.” There have been practices associated with “revival” that are thoroughly unbiblical and damaging to the Church of Jesus Christ. With that said, we cannot base our opinions or expectations of revival on others’ excesses.
On the other hand, some people have an opinion that unless there is an extreme outward display of emotion, revival has not come. We also must be careful not to package revival as what we want it to look like.
Revival is when God moves in the hearts of His people, producing repentance and life-change, first and foremost. All manifestation of His working in His peoples’ lives is to point people to Jesus. Therefore, the focus should never be on the physical manifestation, but the person of Jesus Christ.
This does not mean, however, that emotion has no place in a true move of God. God created us to be emotional. Our emotions were given to us for the same reason as every other part of us – to bring glory to God.
Outward expression of emotion is often a natural response to the work of God in revival, but it is not revival, in and of itself.
When Jonathan Edwards preached during the 1st Great Awakening, the people fainted under the conviction of sin. Some even fell to the floor, crying out in terror at the thought of God’s righteous judgment.
John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church, would calmly preach and people would cry out or “fall down as dead.” Often the sound of those repenting and receiving assurance of forgiveness almost drowned out his voice.
Duncan Campbell speaks of having to stop preaching during the Hebrides Revival because the people were crying so loudly, he couldn’t be heard. When the people would began to grow quiet, he would start again.
When God bursts on the scene and displays His glory there is most certainly going to be an emotional response, but emotion alone doesn’t characterize revival. However, deep conviction with repentance and confession following are always trademarks of genuine revival.
I think the church could stand a little emotional stirring as the Spirit of God blows out the dust from our hearts.
Stay tuned. There is more to come.
