Heart Hunger
True spiritual growth and revival require a strong, directed hunger that translates into intentional action.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes that in both nature and spirituality, we are driven by our deepest hungers and longings. He argues that mere dreaming or wishing without action is ineffective, comparing it to the difference between a powerful lightning strike and a flashlight that provides consistent light. Tozer critiques the current state of prayer and discussions about revival, suggesting that much of it is wasted energy due to a lack of focused action. He warns against the dangers of fanaticism, which seeks results without following the necessary steps to achieve them. Ultimately, he calls for a genuine hunger that leads to purposeful action in our spiritual lives.
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In nature everything moves in the direction of its hungers. In the spiritual world it is not otherwise. We gravitate toward our inward longings, provided of course that those longings are strong enough to move us. Impotent dreaming will not do. The religious urge that is not followed by a corresponding act of the will in the direction of that urge is a waste of emotion. The awe-inspiring power of a discharge of lightning may dissipate itself in the atmosphere and accomplish nothing, while a flashlight battery may provide illumination for a miner hours on end.
One is a dramatic display of immense power without direction and the other a quiet application of modest energy to an intelligent purpose.
It is my conviction that much, very much, prayer for and talk about revival these days is wasted energy. Ignoring the confusion of figures, I might say that it is hunger that appears to have no object; it is dreamy wishing that is too weak to produce moral action. It is fanaticism on a high level for, according to John Wesley, "a fanatic is one who seeks desired ends while ignoring the constituted means to reach those ends."
Sermon Outline
- The Direction of Spiritual Hunger points: null
- The Importance of Strong Longings points: null
- The Futility of Impotent Dreaming points: null
- The Power of Directed Action points: null
- The Waste of Wasted Prayer points: null
- The Dangers of Fanaticism points: null
Key Quotes
“In nature everything moves in the direction of its hungers. In the spiritual world it is not otherwise.” — A.W. Tozer
“It is my conviction that much, very much, prayer for and talk about revival these days is wasted energy.” — A.W. Tozer
“A fanatic is one who seeks desired ends while ignoring the constituted means to reach those ends.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- To experience true spiritual growth, we must cultivate strong, directed longings that motivate us to take action.
- Prayer and talk about revival are not enough; we must also be willing to make corresponding changes in our lives.
- Fanaticism can be a hindrance to spiritual growth, as it often involves ignoring the means to reach desired ends.