Today, let’s learn a few strategies from those who have gone before us on how to overcome spiritual friction. There are times when we all find it difficult to maintain spiritual momentum. Spiritual zeal includes a fervent and passionate commitment to God and His purposes. The pursuit of holiness, faithful service, and advancement of God’s kingdom characterize such zeal.
The Azusa Street Revival became one of greatest pivotal moments in the history of Pentecostalism, creating a global movement that in many ways still continues. Spiritual fervor, interracial unity, and experiential aspects of the Holy Spirit such as speaking in tongues, divine healing, and prophecy marked the movement. Unfortunately, the original zeal lasted only a short period of time. Spiritual friction soon set in.
The scientific definition for friction calls it “a force that resists … attempted motion between two surfaces in contact. It plays a central role in everyday life … affecting everything from walking and driving to machine efficiency and energy loss. Although it often appears simple, friction arises from complex interactions …” Science also tells us that things move swifter the closer they come to the sun.
We can easily find similar spiritual parallels. Anyone who wants to move forward with God will encounter forces that resist that perfect desire. The closer we walk with the Son of God, however, the further His purposes and plans unfold in our lives. We can learn from both history, like Azusa Street Revival, and biblical examples.
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.”
Romans 15:4
1. Look to God
Spiritual friction creates passivity and apathy. People once on fire by the Holy Spirit become cold and indifferent to the things of God with increasing disinterest. Only when God remains the focus will lesser things fall away.
Unlike many other revivals of that time, Azusa Street welcomed people from all racial and social backgrounds, creating a truly diverse and inclusive spiritual community. All too soon human nature took centre stage and disagreements arose. The petty differences they faced may sound a bit crazy to most of us, but when God begins to move, we can expect friction to arise in the strangest ways. The strongest critics offer come from within.
Oh! How important to keep our eyes on God. He is the Author and Sustainer of every outpouring of the Spirit.
“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2
The color of the carpet or the kind of bench we sit on are only temporary fixtures. As we keep our eyes on Jesus and His purposes, we overcome any spiritual friction caused by earthly differences.
2. Displace Fear
When God moves in and among us, it makes us feel more than a little “uncomfortable.” Fear creates much of the spiritual friction for us as well as the Azusa Street Revival.
The Apostle Peter experienced it as well.
“But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile believers, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. As a result, other Jewish believers followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy.”
Galatians 2:11-13
Though we fight many types of fear, the fear of man often becomes the greatest spiritual friction of all other fears. We have all felt it! Like every other sin (yes, sin) fear will cause us and those around us to stumble.
Azusa Street failed a similar test. Initially, neither race nor social status carried weight at Azusa Street. Soon, however, friction developed over racial unity, causing a major split in the church. Charles Parham (Seymour’s mentor) saw white and black people worshipping together and was appalled and started a competing movement. Spiritual friction created a major fraction in the movement.
But let’s take these lessons deeper to a personal level. Am I allowing the fear of criticism to hold me back from God’s purposes and plans for my life? Or how have I tip-toed around truth to bow to the voice of people rather than to God? Beyond a doubt, the fear of man is difficult to resist.
3. Honor
When differences arise, honor guards our hearts against the spiritual friction that seeks to divide. The work God performs within us (as individuals and corporately) matters far too much to allow petty difference to separate us.
The greatest setback came through the secretary of the Azusa Street Mission. She became so disgruntled that she left, taking the mailing list with her. Her actions prevented the leaders from sending out newsletters filled with testimonies of healings and deliverances. People began to believe that the revival had ended. Vast crowds quit coming. One person’s actions created enough spiritual friction to hinder a mighty move of God. Oh, that we would honor each other and value God’s work above personal preferences and opinions.
After that, it took very little to create arguments. Would building a storm shelter reveal a lack of faith? Should women take leadership roles and preach at the mission? Should men wear ties? Obstinance, rebellion, and independence led to far too many minor disagreement becoming pivotal turning points for the mission, ending a genuine revival. Competing missions fought for allegiance, bringing division that replaced the unity that once marked the movement.
Throughout Scripture we see similar instances where opposition from within resulted in much harm. Ten spies returned from Canaan with a bad report, discouraging the people and causing them forty unnecessary years of hardship and loss. Ezra and Nehemiah faced extreme opposition rebuilding the temple and the walls around Jerusalem. Even the early church was not immune to disagreements that birthed division. Neither are we!
“ I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought.”
1 Corinthians 1:10
Spiritual Friction
We may not use the term spiritual friction to define the conditions within the church or ourselves. Call it what you will, it exists and destroys far too many good institutions and individuals.
Sometimes the passivity which spiritual friction produces best defines the condition we see.
“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”
James 4:17
James warns us that knowing what we “ought to do” equals sin. Spiritual friction will bring us to the comfortable but dangerous place of knowing what we ought to do without actively doing it. Failing to act righteously is, in God’s eyes, equivalent to actively doing wrong. Then and now, we are without excuse. We, like those from Azusa Street Mission, know how God wants us to live in unity and appreciation for others. Knowing, however, comes far easier than doing.
Just as one person can negatively impact the work of God, one diligent and faithful person also sets a clear example for others to follow. While passivity shows up through inaction, indifference, and failure to engage, actively and energetically cooperating with the work of the Holy Spirit paves a positive path for others. With God’s help, we can set examples of spiritual productivity and consistency, walking out our faith in practical ways — in faithful service, devotion to prayer, and seeking godly wisdom for every situation.
Spiritual friction is a given in any culture, but it doesn’t need to hinder us from furthering God’s Kingdom on earth. Even so, Lord Jesus, come (Revelation 22:20)! Holy Spirit, come. Ignite us again with passion for Your Name and for Your glory. We seek personal and corporate revival greater than anything You have done in the past. We seek a revival that will have longlasting effect on us and those around us for generations to come.
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