What Hinders Revival?

James 4:1-12 is a revival passage. In fact, 4:6-10 give us some very vital truths about entering in to personal revival. In fact, it could be argued that this passage is "THE" revival passage of the New Testament. In the book of James, the author does not shy away from being confrontational, but now he really lets loose! (Pardon the informal colloquialism) It is obvious by the marked difference between the end of chapter 3 and the beginning of chapter 4 that James is bringing the confrontation to a place where the readers need to makes some serious decisions! In our text, James exposes two sinful attitudes and actions that are hindrances to revival. If these are found in our lives, we will not have personal revival, and we could thus hinder corporate revival.

Let’s look at the first hindrance -- a focus on self (vs. 1-3)

James starts with a question: “From whence come wars and fightings among you?” Even though we are not given specifics in the text, it is obvious that there were significant interpersonal relationship problems in the churches of the dispersion. It is very probable that there was contention in these churches because of the Jewish/Gentile dynamic. It is possible that James referred to some of these problems earlier when he dealt with the issues of favoritism (2:1-13) and the misuse of the tongue (3:1-12). James answers his own question which emphatically gives the source of these relationship problems: “Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?”

“lusts” -- This is the Greek word “hedone”, from which our English word “hedonism” is derived. Hedonism is defined as the “pursuit of or devotion to pleasure, especially to the pleasures of the senses.”

It is important that we understand the emphasis in our text. The emphasis is not the relationship problems, but the source of those problems -- a focus on self. In point blank terms, selfishness destroys relationships! This is important because God places a high priority on relationships. In most cases, if a person is not right with another individual (especially a fellow believer or family member), he cannot be right with God! (See Matthew 5:23-24 and I Peter 3:7). Note: Even as we realize that our vertical relationship (with God) has an impact on our horizontal relationships (with others), we must realize that our horizontal relationships have an impact on our vertical relationship.

We might need to ask ourselves some hard questions. How is our relationship with other believers? Do we find ourselves having critical attitudes? Do we engage in gossip and backbiting? Are we jealous of the position or prominence of another Christian? How is our relationship with family members? Is there any bitterness between us and our spouse? Do we act in a selfish manner to those in the home? Is our spirit humble in our home? Do we fight and squabble to get our own way? Take time to think about it! Next time we will look at the 2nd hindrance to revival -- a focus on this temporal world.

The Destructive Force in Christian Homes (Part 2)

The problem in marriage relationships comes about when those involved act selfishly (due to unexcused ignorance or willful disobedience), but aren’t willing to (or understand the need to) deal with it. It is good for us to acknowledge that selfishness can be summed up in three statements: 1) “I will do what I want to do.” 2) “I will not do what I don’t want to do.” 3) “I will do what I don’t want to do if I will get what I want.” Whenever an individual acts according to one of these three statements (no matter how small or how big the act is), selfishness is at the root.

The root of selfishness grows in the ground of our sin nature, our environment, and the past hurts in our lives. Concerning our sin nature, we were born with a bent to be selfish – it is a part of our flesh. Concerning our environment, the homes in which we were raised may have trained us to be selfish. Abusive, angry homes produce kids who will fight to get what they want. Neglected kids will focus their attention on themselves. Overprotected, pampered kids are trained to be selfish. Concerning the past hurts in our lives, bitterness will produce an “I deserve what I want” mentality.

You can’t change the ground, but you can kill the root, and grow a new tree! This involves the biblical discipline of dying to self! It is fascinating that Strong’s Concordance illustrates the definition of the word die with the following example: “of trees which dry up, of seeds which rot when planted.” This procedure of dying to self involves actively realizing and reacting rightly to those areas of selfishness that are present in our lives. Husbands and wives, we need to realize that nothing gives us the right to be selfish! We need to realize that we are not always right or perfect! We need to realize that we don’t know everything! If our homes are going to be salvaged and thrive for God, we will need moms and dads, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, who die to self!!

Also, a biblical mindset is needed to combat the selfish flesh in which our soul resides. Why is it that we wonder why our families are falling apart, but yet we resist Biblical teachings, standards, and philosophies and embrace the very things that are causing the damage?

If we are ever going to get rid of the fruit problems in our homes, we need to address the Biblical responsibilities that are being ignored. As a rule, the man who doesn’t lead in a loving way (as Christ as the example) is selfish. As a rule, the woman who doesn’t submit to and reverence her husband is selfish. This selfishness root needs to be uprooted (not excused because of the soil it grows in) and a new tree (of obedience and fulfilling of biblical responsibilities) needs to be planted with selflessness at the root.

The Most Destructive Force in the Home (Part 1)

Speaking in a couple of different churches in the recent past, I have felt burdened to share the following truth concerning marriage relationships and parent/child relationships. The sad commentary on our Christian homes today is that we have allowed a very destructive force to gain entrance and a foothold. Our homes today will not be devastated by a “grenade” from the outside (even though they are being launched), but by the “nuclear warhead” detonated within our own four walls. This is evidenced in the various types of behavioral problems found in Christian homes today. Some of these problems have plagued Christian homes for years, but not with as much widespread scope as in current days. We are seeing things happen in Christian homes that were uncommon years ago in non-Christian homes! Now when it comes to the dynamics of the home (where individuals need to coexist and interact responsibly with one another), it is important to note that when you have a breakdown in behavioral family problems, it is because of a breakdown elsewhere. Noting the Scriptures, we can attribute the majority of these problems in the home to the breakdown in the fulfilling of biblical responsibilities of either the husband or wife (or both). The husband, as the head of the home, is to lead in a loving, Christ-like way. The wife is to submit to and reverence her husband (Ephesians 5:22-33, Colossians 3:18-19, I Peter 3:1-7). The question then becomes, “Why are Biblical responsibilities ignored?” Without making a blanket statement and hoping to avoid an abstract concept, it is apparent that the breakdown occurs primarily because of selfishness. In II Timothy 3:1-4, the Apostle Paul tells us that in the last days (indicative of our time), “men shall be lovers of their own selves” and “lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God.” Philippians 2:21 also states: “For all seek their own…” Ephesians 2:2-3 describes selfishness as an integral part of our human nature: “we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind…” Paul admonishes the Corinthian believers, “that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves” (II Corinthians 5:14-15). A key concept that has been cemented into my thinking is that selfishness is the destroying element in Christian homes today! In fact, an interesting note is that all three passages that deal exclusively with the husband/wife relationship are preceded in context by admonitions against selfish living (Ephesians 5:1-20: Colossians 3:1-17; I Peter 2:1-25). Men, how is your relationship to your wife? Is there emotional tension? Does it seem like you are just existing together? Let me encourage you -- take a look at your demeanor and reactions toward your wife. Can you see any selfishness there? Do you love her as Christ loved the church? Or do you feel that she exists primarily to please you?

Display of Biblical Headship (Part 3)

A husband, when exercising proper headship, takes the initiative to raise his children to be spiritually strong. In Ephesians 6:4, Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, instructs fathers concerning their responsibility in child rearing. Using an interesting literary twist, the apostle powerfully emphasizes the father’s duty in this most important venture. Within the context of this section on interpersonal relationships (Ephesians 5-6), Paul deals first with the marriage relationship by addressing individuals in this order: wife to husband, then husband to wife. In dealing with social relationships, Paul addresses the individuals in this order: slave (employee) to master, then master to slave (employee). In both of these cases, the identification of those to whom the apostle is addressing stays the same, even when he is shifting the emphasis. But in regards to family relationships, Paul addresses the individuals in the same order, but the identification changes when the emphasis shifts: children to parents, then fathers to children.

Why does the Bible speak primarily to the father in Ephesians 6:4, when both the Scriptures and history elaborate on the fact that mothers have a great influence also? Wayne Mack (in his book, Strengthening Your Marriage) answers:

"One possible explanation for this may be that often it is the father who neglects the responsibility. Many a man has transferred most of the child raising to the wife…many a husband has salved his conscience and abdicated his child raising responsibility. This, then, may be one explanation for the emphasis on fathers in Ephesians 6:4. Probably, however, the main reason for this approach is found in the biblical doctrine of the husband’s headship in the home."

As the head of the home (in regards to the children), the father has the responsibility to be the primary Bible instructor in the home, to be the one who sets the atmosphere of obedience (by obeying God and authorities), to be the main disciplinarian in the home, and to be one who encourages excellence in character.