Mixed reports have been coming out of Asbury in the past week or so, leaving many of us asking whether or not this is a true work of God. Few have explored the nature of these things more thoroughly than Jonathan Edwards.

I’ve been reviewing my notes from Edwards’ “The Religious Affections” and was reminded of one of Edwards’ key insights from this book.

Edwards says false Christianity always appears alongside true Christianity. Both are always mixed together. This, Edwards says, is Satan’s greatest advantage. Satan would rather dilute the Christian faith than persecute it outrightly.

Wherever a true work of God exists, the more likely Satan will attempt to counterfeit it. True Christianity is the most valuable thing in the world, and will therefore be most despised by the Enemy. But Satan isn’t stupid. He knows that few things can galvanize true Christians and renew them in the faith better than outright persecution.

A more subtle tactic is to discover any true work of God and sow deception and confusion alongside it. Jesus taught something along these lines in the parable of the sower. The same seed fell on four different kinds of soil, but only one soil produced genuine fruit.

The fact that we’ve heard mixed reports of the Asbury revival should not surprise us. If this is truly a work of God, we should not expect Satan to leave it alone and sulk. We should expect the Enemy to oppose it with all his might. Counterfeit Christianity is one of Satan’s most effective weapons. But the appearance of counterfeit Christianity may indicate a true work of the Holy Spirit was already taking place.

Personally, I do not have an opinion on what’s going on at Asbury. I’m writing this more as a reflection on the nature of revival and spiritual warfare. If you’re interested in understanding this more fully, read Edwards’ The Religious Affections (or Sam Storms’ summary of Edwards’ book, Signs of the Spirit).

I pray this is truly a work of renewal in the hearts of those students. I pray that this is a life-altering experience for them, and that it propels them to pursue more diligently the ordinary means of grace, such as scripture, prayer, local church commitment, fellowship, evangelism, fasting, and so on. Come Lord Jesus!