While we desire revival in our lives, there are things that can block or hinder the full flow of God’s renewal in our hearts. Often, these obstacles are not always external but internal—attitudes, sin, and habits that, if left unchecked, can quench the Holy Spirit’s work in us. To experience true revival, we must first understand what can kill it, so we can remove these barriers and allow God to do His transforming work.
Consider the story of King Saul. Saul began his reign with great potential and was chosen by God to be the first king of Israel. Yet, over time, his disobedience and pride led to his downfall. God had commanded Saul to destroy the Amalekites and everything they possessed, but Saul spared the king and the best of the livestock. His excuse was that he wanted to sacrifice the animals to God, but Samuel made it clear that obedience is better than sacrifice (1 Samuel 15:22). Saul’s refusal to obey God’s commands ultimately led to the removal of God’s favor from his life. Saul’s heart became hardened, and revival for him was killed by his pride and stubbornness.
God desires obedience from us—not because He seeks control, but because obedience opens the door for His blessing and revival. When we ignore His commands or rationalize our disobedience, we block the very thing we desire most: His presence and work in our lives. Revival cannot take root in hearts that are unyielding.
Another key figure who faced obstacles to revival was the prophet Jonah. Jonah was called by God to go to Nineveh, a city known for its wickedness, and to call the people to repentance. However, Jonah’s resistance to God’s command led to his running away, and he found himself swallowed by a great fish. Jonah’s heart was reluctant to see revival in the city of Nineveh because of his own prejudice and bitterness. It wasn’t just about the city’s sin; it was about Jonah’s refusal to trust in God’s mercy for those he deemed unworthy. Jonah’s personal pride and lack of compassion created a barrier to God’s revival plan.
In Jonah 4:2, Jonah says, “I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” But Jonah struggled with the idea that God’s grace extended to those he considered enemies. His heart needed revival just as much as the city he was sent to.
We must also be mindful of the danger of complacency, as seen in the Laodicean church. In Revelation 3:15-16, Jesus rebukes them: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” This church had become so comfortable and self-sufficient that they did not even realize their need for spiritual revival. The Laodiceans had lost their fervor and passion for the things of God. Their indifference to God’s call for a deeper relationship killed the potential for revival in their midst.
What we can learn from these examples is that pride, disobedience, and spiritual complacency are among the chief things that can kill revival. When we allow sin to go unchecked, when we refuse to humble ourselves before God, or when we become apathetic, we are standing in the way of God’s transformative work in our lives.
Revival comes when we are willing to surrender our pride, repent of our disobedience, and seek God with humility and a hunger for His presence. We must be like the Israelites in the time of Nehemiah, who, after hearing the Word of God, wept in repentance and sought God’s forgiveness (Nehemiah 8:9-10). Only then did God begin to restore them and revive their nation.
Do not quench the Spirit – 1 Thessalonians 5:19
Prayer:
Father, I come before You today, asking You to reveal any areas of my life where I have allowed pride, disobedience, or complacency to hinder Your work in me. I recognize that revival cannot come in a heart that is hardened or indifferent. I surrender those things to You now. Help me to walk in obedience, to humble myself before You, and to stay fervent in my pursuit of Your presence. Forgive me for the times I have quenched the Spirit, and open my heart to receive the full measure of Your revival. Revive my spirit, Lord, and restore in me a passionate love for You.
In Jesus’ Name
Amen
fromHisHearttoyours 