What is a lukewarm Christian?
A lukewarm Christian is a Christian who is indifferent to God. Though they consider themselves full members of Christianity, they don't practice their faith except when they attend church. They don't feel any passion or love for Jesus Christ and doing good works, nor do they feel they need anything from God.
Signs of Being a Lukewarm Christian
You feel numb whenever others talk about God or Christianity. You don't experience an overwhelming sense of awe or humility when you consider the miracles he wrought and his sacrifice for your sins. You also don't feel anything when you hear other people praise the miracles he wrought for them.
You don't think you need anything from God. The way you see it, your life is set up exactly the way you want and there's nothing you need to ask him for. This is not only a sign of being lukewarm in your faith, but it's also a sign of an overinflated sense of self and pride in your worldly successes.
You care more about material things than about God. You think more about obtaining money, real estate, and luxury items than you do about praying, studying the Bible, and helping the less fortunate. You may also be addicted to sex, alcohol, and other vices without thinking there's anything wrong with that.
You consider yourself holier than other Christians. Despite your inaction and lack of feeling toward God, you compare yourself to the Christians around you and think you're better than them. You think that because you're more successful or that you show up to church on time on Sunday, you're a better person.
Praying to God is always an afterthought. You don't make time to talk to God one-on-one and have an in-depth conversation with him. Yet you have plenty of time for all the the things you want to do, like making more money than you need, partying every night, and binging your favorite TV show for the tenth time.
You rarely talk about your faith to anyone. You don't talk about your faith on social media or in your everyday conversations, and not because you're a shy person. Instead, you either simply don't think about it or it makes you uncomfortable – perhaps because such a conversation would expose how indifferent you are to religious topics.
You give little time and money to good works. You may give only a small amount to charity or none at all. You also don't volunteer to help those in need or go on missions, claiming that you're too busy or you don't have the right personality for it. Yet you still go out and have fun whenever you like and spend money on frivolous things that have nothing to do with God.
You attend church but don't heed the sermons. You have a regular seat in the pews, but your mind wanders from the pastor's words to other, less holy thoughts. While the pastor delivers new insights into the Word of God, you're thinking about what you're going to do after church and how you can't wait until the sermon is over.
You don't believe you can feel fire for God. In your heart, you don't believe you'll ever feel the passion other people feel for Christ or driven to do virtuous deeds, like go on missions or become a pastor. You've been lukewarm for so long that you've decided you aren't the type of person who can be passionate about your faith.
What the Bible Says About Lukewarm Christians
Jesus chastises "lukewarm" Christians in Revelation 3:15-16. In this passage, Jesus describes the wealthy church members of Laodicea as being "neither cold nor hot," meaning they're not passionate in their faith but they're also not unbelievers. He says he wishes they were one or the other, and that he's going to "spit" them out, meaning cast them away. "I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked" Revelation 3:15-16
Jesus offers forgiveness to lukewarm Christians who repent. In Revelation 3:19, Jesus says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent." While being lukewarm displeases God, He assures us that if we express regret for our sinful apathy and try becoming "hot" for our faith, He will forgive us. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Revelation 3:20
How to Stop Being a Lukewarm Christian
Ask God to forgive you and help you stop being lukewarm. Just as Jesus said he would forgive the Laodiceans for being lukewarm, he'll forgive you, too, if you sincerely repent and ask for his forgiveness. While you're at it, ask him to start a fire for him and his Word in your heart, so that you can truly please him.
Turn to God for all your needs, big or small. Even if you think you already have everything, remember that all your abundance comes from your Creator. Don't take his mercy for granted and instead, ask him for everything you need, from food to good health to the means to pay your bills.
Dedicate a special time each day to pray and read scripture. Start with 15 minutes to build the habit and then work your way up to an hour – or longer! Use this time to communicate your needs, but also to thank God for his blessings and pour your heart out about all your worries, fears, hopes, and dreams.
Discuss your faith with other people. Talk to friends, family, and fellow church members about Christ. Join a Bible study group or start your own and have regular meetings every month. And never be afraid to express your faith on your social media accounts if you have a genuine thought or feeling about God to share.
Participate in church instead of just attending it. Volunteer to help teach the children's Sunday School class, lead the Youth Group, or sing in the choir. Sign up for mission trips or work church sales to raise money for missions, church repairs, and local outreach. Offer to run the church's social media pages, so you can encourage other lukewarm Christians to turn back to God.
Involve yourself more in acts of charity. Donate 10% of your income to a verified charity (or however much you're able to spare). Organize fundraisers for charities that need more money to provide services for the needy. Volunteer at a local food drive, a homeless shelter, or a rest home. Even if you can only volunteer for an hour, do it. Local charities are often shorthanded and will welcome any help they can get, no matter how long they can stay. Plus, you can still make a positive difference in someone's life in that short amount of time.
Believe that you can leave being "lukewarm" behind. God teaches us in Ephesians 4:22-24 to "cast off" our old selves and "to be made new" in the attitude of our minds. We are created to be like him, he says, "in true righteousness and holiness." If God believes you can go from lukewarm to hot, then you should, too. "You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24
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