In his “Narnia” series of allegorical stories, C. S. Lewis describes a scene in which the children are at last in the beautiful new land. The sky is clear, the trees and flowers delightful. But the children come across a strange thing. Some dwarfs are sitting, huddled closely together in what they believe is a stable, pitch-black and smelly. The dwarfs complain how horrible life is, with everything dark and unpleasant.

The children try to distract the dwarfs, try to convince them that life really is grand if they will only come out of their delusion and look around. But no matter how hard the children try, the dwarfs decline to listen and refuse to budge. They are stuck in their illusion; it is their reality.

Through the voice of Aslan the Lion, Lewis makes a profound statement to describe the dwarfs’ condition: “Their prison is only in their own minds, yet they are in that prison; and so afraid of being taken in that they cannot be taken out.”*

This statement could apply to many in Christian churches. Huddled in darkness. Refusing to welcome light. Deaf to the appeal of the Spirit. So afraid of being taken in that they cannot be taken out.

This is the condition of God’s people often described by the Old Testament prophets. And it is the condition described by John in his message to the churches of Sardis and Laodicea. Revelation 3. It is the condition that broke the heart of Jesus—“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem…how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37.

There are many factors that keep God’s children from revival, but perhaps the most challenging is fear and suspicion of being deceived. This was the problem with the church of Jesus’ time. The people refused their Saviour because his teachings and his spiritual nature were radical, posing a threat to established ways. Many today allow suspicion to blind their eyes to the Saviour and to the Spirit he wants to pour out.

But isn’t it important to watch out for deception? Yes! Deceiving spirits prowled the landscape during Jesus’ ministry. In our own time, evil spirits come from “the dragon, the beast and the false prophet”. Revelation 16:13. We must be alert. False revivals are marked by extremes in behaviour that glorify self rather than God, and by teachings and actions that do not conform to the example and teaching of Jesus.

But how sad, if the devil keeps us in such fear of false revival that we get no revival at all! We must always keep in mind that the best defence against false revival is this: true revival. The church cannot afford to sit around in a “Laodicean” state and point the finger at false revival, because with either condition the devil is completely satisfied.

What are the marks of true revival? One of the most visible is joyful praise. Look at the revivals described in the scriptures—for example, the revival under King Nehemiah and the revival of Pentecost—and you’ll find unabashed praise breaking out all over! “The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.” Nehemiah 12:43. “They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God.” Acts 2:46-47. I mean no disrespect for those who like to be “staid and circumspect” in religion, but at some point before we get to the Sea of Glass, we will actually need to express our praise! See Revelation 15:2-4.

Other marks of true revival include much prayer, faithfulness to God’s word, confession of sin, reformation of life, reception and ministry of the gifts of the Spirit, courageous testimony to Christ, generosity, intercession, and love that overcomes argument and division.

Now to the intimate part. Are you personally open to the baptism and power of the Spirit? “Ask, and you will receive,” Jesus promised. The only condition is our eagerness to receive.

This is the question. Are we willing and eager? Or will we continue to huddle in darkness?

* See C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle (Penguin Books Ltd., © Copyright the Estate of C. S. Lewis, 1956), pp 131-135.

This article first appeared in modified form in Mid-America Outlook, June 2004. Copyright © 2009 by Ed Gallagher (South Pacific edition). / Scripture quotations taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission.