In the last couple of weeks, a word has been on many people’s lips: revival.
In the wake of the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk and the powerful memorial service that followed, the term has been used by news anchors, religious leaders, and everyday people alike. The events have sparked intense emotion and a sense of shared purpose, leading many to feel that we are on the cusp of something significant.
This has me thinking. When people say “this is a revival,” what do they actually mean? Is this a fleeting emotional high, a political reawakening, or a genuine move of God? To get to the heart of the matter, here are five critical questions we should be asking.
1. What Do We Mean by “Revival”?
The word “revival” itself can mean different things to different people. Before we can know if we’re in one, we need to define our terms. As I see it, there are at least three possibilities:
A Revival Meeting: For many in Christian traditions, a “revival” is an event—a special series of meetings filled with passionate worship, preaching, and a call to faith. When people say the memorial service “felt like a revival,” they may be describing a powerful, single event that enlivened their faith.
A Revival of the American Spirit: Others are using the term in a more political or civic sense. They see a reawakening of the ideals that Charlie Kirk championed—a return to the principles of the founding fathers. This is a revival of a national ideal, not necessarily a spiritual one.
A True Spiritual Revival: This is something different altogether. The term revival literally means “to live again.” A spiritual revival is a sovereign move of God, where the Holy Spirit works on the hearts of people on a grand scale. It’s not something a person can plan or manufacture. It results in widespread repentance, genuine conversions, and a profound, transformative change that starts from the inside out.
It’s crucial to understand that a revival of the American spirit and a true spiritual revival are not the same thing.
2. Are People Truly Coming to Christ?
If we are experiencing a genuine spiritual revival, the centerpiece of the movement will not be a person, a party, or a political cause. The centerpiece will be Jesus Christ.
We should be asking: Are people being saved? Is there a renewed and widespread love for the person of Jesus? Is He being magnified and glorified in conversations, in media, and in our churches?
In a true revival, people’s eyes are opened to the glorious reality of the Son of God. The lost are found, and the saved fall in love with Jesus all over again.
3. Are People Repenting From Their Sins?
A genuine work of God doesn’t just change our opinions; it changes our lives. The biblical word for this is “repentance,” which means to turn away from our old ways and walk in a new direction.
This isn’t about sheer willpower. We can only resist temptation for so long on our own strength. A spiritual revival brings about a new heart. It’s a work of the Spirit from the inside out.
When revival is man’s idea, we try to work from the outside in. When it is God’s idea, He changes our hearts, and our habits follow. So, are we seeing evidence of hearts being supernaturally changed?
4. Are People Loving Their Enemies?
This is where the rubber meets the road. A person who has truly received the grace of God understands they are forgiven for a debt they could never repay. How, then, could they withhold forgiveness from their own enemies?
In a true revival, we would see an outbreak of active, not passive, love. The actual test is loving your enemies—those on the other side of the political aisle, those who have wronged you. The Apostle Paul describes this kind of love in 1 Corinthians 13:4−8:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Frankly, it has been difficult to watch the outpouring of emotion one day, only to see a return to slandering political opponents the next. If hearts were truly changed, we would see this kind of love in action.
5. Will There Be a Lasting, Positive Impact on Society?
If this is a sovereign move of God, its effects won’t be confined to individuals. A true revival should ripple outward, positively impacting families, communities, and institutions.
Proverbs 11:10 says:
“When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices.”
This isn’t talking about the self-righteous. It refers to those made right by God, who walk in His ways of justice, mercy, and love. When people like that are influencing a community, the entire city benefits.
Watching and Waiting
These are the questions I’m asking. Is what we’re seeing an emotional event, a political movement, or a genuine spiritual revival? Are people coming to Christ, repenting of sin, loving their enemies, and creating a lasting positive change in our culture?
Only time will tell. For now, we must watch, pray, and ask the right questions.
I’d love to hear your perspective. Are you seeing signs of a genuine revival, or something else entirely? Share your thoughts in the comments.
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Note: The views expressed here are my own.
