October 26 | Overcoming Being Lukewarm

Series | The Overcoming Life

Scripture | Revelation 3:16, “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.”

Lesson 26 | Lukewarm, “I’m Fine Just the Way I Am”

Some things are best served either hot or cold like coffee and milk, but when they are lukewarm they taste disgusting.  Imagine forgetting that you had left the milk out and then drank it at room temperature- you’d probably spit it out.  The same is true with lukewarm coffee. 

As a result, Jesus is not saying I wish you either lived for me (hot) or served the devil (cold), but rather Jesus is saying I wish you would serve me as either being a cool refreshing drink or a blazing fire.  Thus, if you are neither hot nor cold Jesus is basically saying, “You make me puke!”  Remember, Jesus always wants us to be effective for His Kingdom and pleasing to His Father, Matthew 5:48.   

Here is a short list of the things that cause people to become lukewarm, (1) Unrepentant Sin: All sin should be repented of immediately and not willfully repeated, Hebrews 10:26-27.  (2) Neglect of Spiritual Growth: If you’re not growing you’re dying so keep growing in the things of God, 2 Peter 2:5-9.   (3) Lack of Prayer, Worship, Church Ministry/Fellowship, and Study of God’s Word: Spiritual practices are a must for every believer to please God.  They should be done often and consistently, therefore, if you stop doing them you will become lukewarm, Revelation 2:5.

The deceitfulness of being lukewarm is that most people in this state think they are fine.  The reason is because the very nature of becoming lukewarm is gradual- it happens very slowly.  First comes the neglect of God’s commands, then second, the commands are replaced with man’s opinions, and lastly, the heart is deceived into believing it is in a similar place as it was before. 

However, what has actually happened is that the lukewarm person has traded the precious things of God for the defiled things of this world.  Therefore, don't let your heart be deceived and hardened by sin’s deceitfulness- stay in love with God’s commands, Psalm 119:14.

Are you lukewarm? If so, pray this out loud, “Father, forgive me for being lukewarm.  Please remove all the sin and compromise from my life and make me pleasing to you.  Amen.” 

Reflection | Are you hot or cold for Jesus- or are you lukewarm?

Action | (1) Repent if you have allowed yourself to become lukewarm.  (2) Change the things you do in life so you are no longer lukewarm but obedient to Jesus.  (3) Lastly, ask Jesus to make you effective and pleasing to the Father everyday of your life!  

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Jeremiah 49:23-50:46, Titus 1:1-16, Psalm 97:1-98:9, & Proverbs 26:13-16. Click here to read online.