Revival Killers

Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God?
Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers,
nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners,
shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

(First Corinthians 6:9–11, KJV)

What Hinders Revival?

In his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul exposes the danger of spiritual compromise within the church. He names sins that not only destroy lives and relationships but also rob believers of their inheritance in the kingdom of God. These same compromises hinder revival.

Revival is more than a church event or a weekend crusade—it is a lifestyle. The Hebrew word chayah means “to live” or “to revive,” and tachliyah speaks of “restoration.”

True revival is a return to life— a restoration to the presence, power, and purpose of God.

Throughout Scripture, revival always follows repentance and obedience. At Pentecost, believers were filled with the Holy Ghost, and three thousand souls were added to the church (Acts 2). In Samaria, when Philip preached Christ, miracles occurred, and joy filled the city (Acts 8). Yet, Scripture also shows us that revival can be quenched. There are attitudes and lifestyles— “revival killers”—that extinguish the fire of God.

Paul reminds the church: “And such were some of you.” We were once lost, but now we are washed, sanctified, and justified in the name of Jesus. However, when believers return to the things God delivered them from, revival begins to die.

1. Lukewarmness: The Silent Revival Killer

“I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” (Revelation 3:15–16, KJV)

Lukewarmness is spiritual indifference—living with one foot in the world and the other in the church. It is going through the motions of faith without the fire of relationship.

Lukewarm Christians may pray occasionally, read Scripture inconsistently, and attend services regularly, yet inwardly drift further from God. The Pharisees and Sadducees exemplified outward religion with inward emptiness. Ananias and Sapphira, in Acts 5, also demonstrated half-hearted devotion that resulted in judgment.

The danger of lukewarmness is not sudden rebellion, but slow spiritual decay.

Lukewarmness is like termites. Termites eat from the inside out, quietly destroying a structure long before visible damage appears. In the same way, spiritual apathy often begins subtly—through neglected prayer, tolerated sin, or a diminishing hunger for God’s Word. Eventually, revival collapses from within.

Termites work unseen. Likewise, spiritual indifference can exist beneath the surface for years. Outwardly, we may still sing, serve, or lead, but inwardly, our passion has cooled.

Paul exhorted Timothy, “Stir up the gift of God, which is in thee” (Second Timothy 1:6). Revival dies when the fire is no longer stirred. The cure for lukewarmness is not comfort—it is consecration. Return to prayer. Return to fasting. Return to the altar.

2. The Patterns of Sin: Hidden Chains That Choke Revival

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes,
and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”
(1 John 2:16, KJV)

Sin is not always a single act of rebellion; it is often a pattern. Small compromises, repeated over time, become habits that restrict the flow of God’s Spirit.

The Pattern of Sin Involves Three Roots:

• The lust of the flesh; when desire for pleasure outweighs hunger for holiness.
• The lust of the eyes; when covetousness, comparison, or materialism dominate our focus.
• The pride of life;  when ego replaces humility, and self-reliance replaces dependence on God.

Many believers fall into cycles of sin because they repent without changing. True repentance is not merely apologizing; it is turning away.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13).

Biblical Warnings:

• Achan’s hidden sin brought defeat to Israel and destruction to his household (Joshua 7) .
• King Saul’s disobedience cost him the anointing that once empowered him (First Samuel 15).

Unconfessed sin is like poison—it kills quietly. It quenches prayer, steals joy, and blocks the flow of the Holy Spirit. When sin lingers unaddressed, you may lift your hands in worship and feel nothing. You may weep at the altar yet walk away unchanged.

If you are caught in repetitive sin, hear this truth: God’s mercy still reaches you. Confession brings cleansing. Repentance restores revival.

You cannot hide what God already sees, but you can surrender what He’s ready to forgive.

3. Offenses: The Enemy’s Trap That Divides and Destroys

“Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!”
(Matthew 18:7, KJV)

Offenses are inevitable and dangerous. Scripture calls them the bait of Satan. Offenses are small seeds that grow into bitterness and division. Many believers lose their fire not through persecution, but through unresolved offense.

Perhaps someone spoke harshly. Perhaps a leader overlooked your efforts. Perhaps you were misunderstood. When these moments are not surrendered to God, they become prisons that trap the soul.

Some leave the church because of offense. Others stay but carry silent resentment. In either case, revival is hindered. Worship becomes mechanical. Prayer feels heavy. Unity is broken.

Biblical Examples:

• King Saul became offended when the women praised David more than him. Jealousy took root and destroyed his destiny.
• Ahithophel, David’s counselor, became bitter when his advice was rejected. His offense led to despair and suicide (Second Samuel 17:23).

Offense, when left unchecked, leads to destruction. Jesus taught that reconciliation with our brother must come before offering our gifts to God (Matthew 5:23–24).

Unforgiveness is a revival killer. It silences worship and hardens hearts. Forgive, not because they deserve it, but because revival depends on it. Release them into God’s hands, and your heart will be revived again.

A Call Back to Revival

“Wilt thou not revive us again: that thy people may rejoice in thee?”
(Psalm 85:6–7, KJV)

Revival begins when we acknowledge what extinguished it. Lukewarmness cools our passion. Sin chains our spirit. Offense divides our hearts.

Yet the psalmist’s cry still echoes today: “Revive us again.” Revival is not louder worship or bigger events; it is restored hearts. Israel found mercy when they repented. Corinth was called back from compromise. And we, too, are called to return.

The Lord still revives the contrite. If we desire revival, we must return to prayer, fasting, and reverence for His Word.

Picture a bonfire surrounded by wood. If the pieces remain together, the fire burns strongly. But when one piece is pulled away, its flame soon fades. Revival thrives in unity. When believers gather in one accord praying, worshiping, forgiving, and loving, the Holy Ghost ignites again.

Let us refuse to be revival killers. Let us become revivalists, men and women who continually fan the flame of the Spirit wherever God has placed us.