The Hindrance to Spiritual Awakening
There are many Christian leaders today who are calling for a spiritual awakening. Many who believe we need a genuine move of God that powerfully changes lives. There are those who say we must have the basic components of prayer and repentance to bring a renewal to the Church and a revival to the nation. This is certainly true but something else is missing. Looking to the awakenings of the past may hold the key to a move of God today. Each move of God is unique and different but there are lessons we can learn from previous spiritual awakenings.
In the midst of the Great Awakening Jonathan Edwards wrote Thoughts On The Revival In New England. He identified one great hindrance that he called the main support of all other hindrances – spiritual pride. Edwards said that until this disease was cured all medicines used to heal other diseases would be in vain. Spiritual pride is such that it will defend itself against any truth that might reprove or correct it. Until the Church addresses spiritual pride spiritual awakening will be greatly hindered.
In 2 Kings 5 we find a story that so clearly parallels the situation that we find ourselves in today. A story which reveals the truth about spiritual pride and how it can hinder a move of God. There is a leper named Naaman who is a general in the Syrian army. He was not able to perform his military duties and was very important to the king so he is sent to Israel with a letter and $50,000 worth of gifts in hopes he could be healed.
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The king of Israel is in such a terrible spiritual state that he thinks that this is a ploy by the king of Syria to start a war with Israel. Elisha hears of it and tells the king to send the leper Naaman to him for "there is still a prophet in Israel." It is here that we see spiritual pride and how it can stand in the way of spiritual awakening.
Naaman came to Elisha's house but he did not enter it but rather waited to be received in a manner worthy of a general. As long as we who are in the Church spend our time getting hurt by every little word which is spoken, as long as we get upset and bitter about what has happened in the past, we will stay in the same position Naaman was; still not healed. How many churches today spend their time fighting amongst themselves because someone's feelings were hurt and in the meantime renewal continues to tarry?
Elisha sends out a messenger to tell Naaman what he must do to be healed. Naaman was furious that Elisha did not come out himself to meet him. Unsure in ones hearts what God really thinks of them (accepted and loved) too many affirm their own gifts and take great offense when someone slights them. When we demand to be regarded and respected for our contributions to the church we have become just as Naaman.
Elisha tells Naaman to go and wash in the dirty Jordan River and with this Naaman has had enough. Not only had Elisha not come out but now the healing was not even taking place the way that Naaman thought it should. Is this not a clear indicator of spiritual pride that we know the way God moves and how such a great revival will take place? Naaman knew the rivers of Damascus, coming out of the mountains as fresh streams, would be much better to wash in than the dirty Jordan River. We are all so sure that God could not possibly work through that group or in that way and so our spiritual pride continues to hinder a great work of God.
Naaman went away furious in a rage and did not receive what he wanted from God. We too can miss out on the renewal that God desires to bring to the Church by allowing spiritual pride to exist in us our churches and ministries. We must root it out of every part of our lives and the Church so that God can move.
There is good news though, Naaman changed his mind and listened to the counsel of his servants and God healed him. We too need to listen to God's Word and make the change in our hearts so we might receive all that God desires to do. God wants to bring a great awakening upon our land and we want a great move of God that will bring about radical change. We must repent of spiritual pride root it out of our lives and churches so nothing can hinder renewal in the Church and revival in our country.
