Revelation 3:15-16 “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].

Foot notes from biblegateway.com says: This phrase and the word lukewarm in v 16 form a metaphor that is probably based on the quality of the water supply of Laodicea, which was delivered by aqueduct from the hot mineral springs about five miles away. During its journey, the water cooled to a warm or lukewarm temperature.

Research I found online: The Laodiceans understood the analogy Jesus was presenting them. Their drinking water came through an aqueduct from a spring six miles to the south, and when it arrived, it was disgustingly lukewarm. The water they received was not like the water at the hot springs where it originated, where people used to bathe in, nor was it cold for the purpose of drinking. Instead, it was lukewarm and good for nothing. So, Jesus says, “I will spit you out of my mouth”. In other words, they were good for nothing, and they sickened Jesus.  

My Thoughts

Over the years I have often heard this scripture misinterpreted in sermons and I didn’t understand it for a long time. I used to read either the NKJ or NIV version of the Bible and it didn’t fully explain the context of the scripture. That is one reason I love reading the Amplified and the NASB (with study tools) versions. The context of the scriptures is so important to their meaning and our understanding.

Signs of a Lukewarm Christian:

This list is not all inclusive, but it gives us an idea what to look for. I want to encourage you to do some self-evaluation as you are reading through this list.

They do not have an issue with their sin, or they do not even consider their patterns of sin to really be sin. They justify their behaviors and may even be convinced that God is okay with their behaviors. They continue the patters of sin and get defensive if anyone confronts them about their behaviors.

They do not share their faith with others, they may not even have faith in God anymore, or they never did to begin with. Whatever the cause or issue they do not share about the Bible, God, or salvation with others.

They may attend church, but there is no life or character change present. For them church may be more of a social gathering, checking off part of their to-do list, or they go because they think it will get them into heaven by simply going to church.

They lack prayer time and/or Bible study and reading time. They may talk to God, but not on a personal level that leads to a surrendered life for Him. They may only reach out to Him when they need something or as a last resort. Their prayers lack intimacy because they do not really have a close relationship with God. Their prayers are not about God changing them to be more like Him, but instead they are focused on what they want God to do for them.

When we look at their lives we cannot see a difference between them and the world. They do the same things, say the same things, celebrate the same things, go to the same places, etc. as the world. They do not live set apart lives for God.

They live in the temporal (here and now) and are not focused on the kingdom of God and eternity. They are not seeing God’s plan for their lives, and they are not busy at doing the work of the Lord. They do not think about the salvation of others or doing what they can to further God’s kingdom.  

They do not walk in the fruit of the Spirit which are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5: 22-23. They are guided by their flesh and fleshy desires.

The do not use weapons of warfare to fight off demonic attacks when makes the attacks so much harder to resist and work through.

Practical Tips to Avoid Becoming Lukewarm

Or if you recognize you are lukewarm you can use this list to change the patterns in your life.

The first step to making any type of change is to recognize you have an issue. We cannot change what we do not acknowledge so self-reflection with the Lord is a must.

Psalm 139:23-24 Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way

After you spend time in reflection repent for any areas of your life that needs repentance and moving forward be quick to repent when you mess up. Repentance means having a change of heart, mind, and direction. That means more than just being sorry. It means breaking patterns of sin and changing.

Acts 3:19So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely erased], so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord [restoring you like a cool wind on a hot day];

Discipline yourself to read and study the Bible. It is our roadmap to living a Biblical life and it is also one of the major ways we learn the character of God, our purpose, how God feels about every area of life, and how He expects us to live our lives. It is full of His power. When we allow it to it will change our lives from the inside out. It also protects us from deception. We will never learn to recognize deception if we do not know His Word. It is what we use to measure and test everything-ministries, teaching, preachers, etc. 

Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and full of power [making it operative, energizing, and effective]. It is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating as far as the division of the soul and spirit [the completeness of a person], and of both joints and marrow [the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and judging the very thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Spending time in prayer is a must. We cultivate a personal relationship with God through prayer. Prayer is more than bringing a list of wants and needs to Him. There is nothing wrong with praying for the needs of others as well as our own needs, but that is only one type of prayer. Prayer is two-way communication. We talk to God, and we also need to spend time listening to what He wants to speak to us.

John 10:27 The sheep that are My own hear My voice and listen to Me; I know them, and they follow Me.

Surround yourself with a strong Christian community. Your go to people should be ones who are strong in the Lord. The ones that you ask for advice should be people who will give you Godly advice, will pray for you, and hold you accountable for your actions in a Godly way.  

1 Corinthians 15:33Do not be deceived:“Bad company corrupts good morals.”

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].

Find a Biblical source (ministry, Bible study, church, etc.) where you can learn and grow. Make sure they are accurate and Biblically based.  

Grow, mature, and utilize the gifts God has given you.

1 Peter 4:10Just as each one of you has received a special gift [a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God], employ it in serving one another as [is appropriate for] good stewards of God’s multi-faceted grace [faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God’s unmerited favor].

Walk in full surrender to God and do not hold anything back from Him.

Romans 12:1Therefore I urge you,brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.

Crucify your flesh daily. Make it part of your lifestyle. Choose to walk in the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:24And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the ^[a]sinful nature together with its passions and appetites.

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience [not the ability to wait, but how we act while waiting], kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Learn about spiritual warfare and use your weapons of warfare against the demons that will try to drag you back into being lukewarm.

John 10:10The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance [to the full, till it overflows].

James 4:7 So submit to [the authority of] God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him] and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.

Ephesians 6:10-17 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might. Put on the full armor of God [for His precepts are like the splendid armor of a heavily-armed soldier], so that you may be able to [successfully] stand up against all the schemes and the strategies and the deceits of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places. Therefore, put on the complete armor of God, so that you will be able to [successfully] resist and stand your ground in the evil day [of danger], and having done everything [that the crisis demands], to stand firm [in your place, fully prepared, immovable, victorious]. So stand firm and hold your ground, having tightened the wide band of truth (personal integrity, moral courage) around your waist and having put on the breastplate of righteousness (an upright heart), and having strapped on your feet the gospel of peace in preparation [to face the enemy with firm-footed stability and the readiness produced by the good news]. Above all, lift up the [protective] shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.

Link to Video: https://youtu.be/9ckeYPYLHxY?si=r9XNr9C9fNKR28Xn

Blessings,

Nichole Henson, Fullness of Joy Ministry