By now you've no doubt read or heard about a so called revival that is happening in Lakeland, Florida - if not it's being discussed many places, like here, here and here - and here.
Several times I've been asked for my opinion on what is happening there - basically - is this of God, or not? Let me say that I try to be very, very careful in assessing things like this. I neither want to be the 'Pharisee' and miss what God is doing, nor do I want to be Nadab or Abihu - carriers of strange fire. I do know that we have been called to discern what is of God and what is not. Paul, in Philippians 1:9-10 stated:
Several times I've been asked for my opinion on what is happening there - basically - is this of God, or not? Let me say that I try to be very, very careful in assessing things like this. I neither want to be the 'Pharisee' and miss what God is doing, nor do I want to be Nadab or Abihu - carriers of strange fire. I do know that we have been called to discern what is of God and what is not. Paul, in Philippians 1:9-10 stated:
"And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ". (Emphasis mine)
While I haven't personally been to any of these services in Lakeland, through the miracle of the Internet I've been able to both read, watch and listen to what is happening there - which I have done.
Which leads me to the following advice that comes in the form of a three part test:
1. Is the revival characterized by repentance?
While I haven't personally been to any of these services in Lakeland, through the miracle of the Internet I've been able to both read, watch and listen to what is happening there - which I have done.
Which leads me to the following advice that comes in the form of a three part test:
1. Is the revival characterized by repentance?
The great revivals of history are almost always characterized by REPENTANCE. Gut-wrenching-people-crying-out-to-God type repentance. True revival will primarily see people falling forward on their faces (as opposed to backwards) in repentance leaving tear stained carpets in it's wake. This leads to the fruit of true revival - holiness.
2. Where is the emphasis placed?
2. Where is the emphasis placed?
The emphasis MUST be on JESUS CHRIST. Not on man, not on manifestations, not on angels - but Christ alone. When I read and hear from Todd Bentley's own mouth that he is receiving revelation from some angel named "Emma" - that should be a HUGE red flag to any discerning Christian. Cults have been born in such ways.
3. We should always test the spirits.
3. We should always test the spirits.
1 John 4:1 says: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world."
Strange fire is amazingly close to real fire - so close, yet so far away - and therein lies the deception. Couple that with the fact that "there's no fool like a charismatic fool", and that is a dangerous recipe for being deceived.
For far too long folks have run from this service to that service in order to hear this speaker or that speaker - chasing after the latest, greatest 'word', or 'revelation' that they hope to receive. Many have drank undiscerning from poisoned streams and later wonder what happened? What happened was they failed to stop and test the spirits to see if it was from God or not. This pastor's prescription for this problem? Massive doses of God's Word will dramatically elevate one's discernment.
Know this: The Holy Spirit will ALWAYS draw people to Jesus - He will illuminate Jesus. He doesn't need gold dust, angel feathers or any other cheap parlor tricks to do so either. While having perfect doctrine is not a prerequisite of being used by God or having God show up, true revival will always be centered on the Person of Jesus Christ.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteGREAT ADVICE! I've had an epiphany of sorts recently: Many, many Christians truly want revival; the kind of which you wrote on this post. And they are attracted to anything which even resmebles God's fire. I'm guilty of it as well, but also leary and at times too critical.
I think in Todd Bentley's case, however, I'm leary for good reasons. Though an angel gave messages to the apostle John by which he wrote Revelation, I am still a bit too critical that such a thing may happen in our time. The canon is closed, I am certain of that.
But, would God use an angel today to speak to His children? I am legitimately asking the question. Does not God speak to us today through His Word, through ministers and Spirit-inspired utterances (i.e. words of wisdom, knowledge, prophecy, tongues and interpretation) and also to our own minds through the Spirit?
Another thought: the one thing about revival happenings that saddens me is the temporary nature inherent within them. From Edwards, Whitefield, Wesley, and Finney to Asuza, Toronto, and Pensacola, etc., they come and they go. I believe God does awesome, life-transforming things during these revivals, but we can we live our lives, so to speak, in a perpetual revival?
Honest questions . . .
Peace!
Billy
That last question is: but can we live our lives, so to speak, in a perpetual revival?
ReplyDeleteB
I suppose we could ask Rick Warren - the so called 'father of perpetual revival' ;^)
ReplyDeleteSeriously, that is a good question. I believe that part of our human condition is going through the process of 'crisis and turning' moments all the time.
For a period of time we can live in revival - then due to the fact that we are vessel's of clay that are given to leaking - we drift. Then we come to a point where we realize we've drifted (crisis), thus we turn (repent) and experience refreshing.
I think heaven is the place where we will live permanently in revival.
Good advice, biblical counsel.
ReplyDeleteRevival, however can't be perpetual, for it intrinsically means we have been spiritually dead or indifferent. The excitement is in the swing of extremes. Maybe what were really longing for is the opposite of perpetual revival-- persistent vival? ;-)
agreed SLW - revival as we know it can't be 'perpetual' until we get to the 'other side' ;^) I think we can live in renewal, but even with that there will always will come times when we need refreshing again - it's that Hosea 6 principle.
ReplyDeleteGood word Brother.
ReplyDeleteExcellent exhortation!
ReplyDeleteFor those interested there is a post from the AG National Supt. over at http://www.agthinktank.com/?p=109 on Scriptural Guidelines for Assessing Revival that I think is apropos to the discussion here. I'm glad they came up with comprehensive statement for assessing all revival instead of a specific statement regarding this particular instance.
ReplyDeleteAlmost looks like bro. George copied off me! ;^)
ReplyDelete