What does the term spiritual awakening mean?

It stands to reason that for there to be an awakening, there must have been a time of slumber or sleep.

As one does not need awakening if one is already awake, it therefore means an awakening from a time of spiritual laziness or slothfulness.

The church at Laodicea was like that (Rev 3:14-17).

Laodicea was a very wealthy enterprising city with many theaters and a huge stadium, shopping centers and public baths typical of a materially prosperous community in those days. This was not a healthy environment for spiritual growth and dedication. The church was obviously affected by the city in which it was located as it received the most damming report from the Lord Jesus and not a single commendation at all.

The Laodicean church really needed revival or an awakening.

Rev.3.14-17

14 “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write, ‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 

15 I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. 

16So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth. 

17 Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’–and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked

The Laodicean church was independent, self-satisfied, rich, wealthy and secure. (Rev.3.17). They needed nothing,  Though they were full of activities and programs, their Lord was outside the church, trying to get in (Rev.3.20). The main problem was that they were neither hot nor cold. They were lukewarm. A spiritual condition Jesus described as wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked (√.17)

Lukewarmness is a condition of independence. For liquid to remain cold, it needs an outside source of ice to keep the liquid cold, or if the liquid is to remain hot, it needs an outside heat source to remain hot or else it becomes lukewarm. If the Christian neglects the fire of the Lord in his life, he too will become lukewarm or spiritually cold. We cannot live the Christian life without a close walk with the Lord. If we are not God dependent, we will begin to decay spiritually and become ineffective for the Lord.

The scripture in Matt.22.14 which states that – ‘many are called, but few are chosen’ can be re-written for the Church in Laodicea as –  ‘many are cold and a few are frozen’

Signs that One Needs Spiritual Awakening

In the Christian life, there are three ‘spiritual temperatures’ a burning heart, on fire for God (Luke.24.32), a cold heart (Matt.24.12), and a lukewarm heart (Rev.3.16). The lukewarm Christian is comfortable, complacent, and does not realize his need.

A truthful, honest Christian knows his/her spiritual temperature. We are expected to be ‘fervent in spirit’ (Rom.12.11), Fervent in prayers (Col.4.12). and in the Word of God (Luke.24.32).

No wonder Paul commanded that his letter to Colossae be sent to the Laodicean church! (Col. 4:16)

If we are not burning hot, an awakening is desperately needed.

Steps to a Personal Spiritual Awakening

Step 1

Is to humble yourself before God, acknowledge that you need a re-awakening or a revival. That’s the beginning of having an awakening. It’s having the realization of Who God is and who we are, and seeing ourselves as falling so far short of His glory (Rom 3:10-12, 23) and that we could never be reconciled back to God without God Himself intervening on our behalf (John 3:16; Rom 5:1, 8:1)

Step 2

Repent from spiritual arrogance, slothfulness and laziness and ask Him to revive and renew you into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. Ask for a renewed hunger and thirst for God and a more passionate desire to live a holy life before Him.

Step 3

We need the help of the Holy Spirit. It takes the Spirit of God with the Word of God to make the children of God for the glory of God. Without God’s Spirit, there can be no awakening.

Step 4

Then there are concrete things you need to do. You have to change our lifestyle to reflect less time on the phone, TV and Netflix, or Internet, Social Media, general loafing around

Step 5

Spend more time reading and studying God’s Word. Look into your personal devotion or Quiet Time. When this suffers spiritual life is being slowly squeezed out.

Step 6

More time in the place of personal prayer. You might also add a few days of fasting to the prayers

Step 7

Critically examine your Christian relationships and ensure that you are walking in love to everyone bar none (Eph.5.2, John.13.34)