Are We Lukewarm—and Loving It?

When we are lukewarm, God says he will spit us out of His mouth.

“Half-heartedness never won a battle.” — Dwight D. Eisenhower

“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm… I will spit you out of my mouth.”— Revelation 3:15–16

What do you do with a verse like that?

Jesus’ words to the church in Laodicea are jarring. He’s not speaking to pagans or outsiders—He’s speaking to His own people. And His criticism isn’t about gross immorality or open rebellion. It’s about something far more subtle… and far more dangerous:

Lukewarmness.

This is the kind of faith that shows up to church but doesn’t fully surrender. The kind of faith that says the right things but avoids the deeper call to obedience. That keeps Jesus in the mix, but not at the center. It’s the kind of faith that blends in so well with culture, it barely makes a ripple.

And worst of all? We can live this way and still feel pretty good about it.

Lukewarm… and Loving It?

Francis Chan, in his powerful message “Lukewarm and Loving It,” puts it plainly: far too many of us have settled into a comfortable Christianity. We claim Jesus, but without the fire. We talk about faith, but without urgency, sacrifice, or passion.

We treat God as a consultant, not a King. We want Jesus to be part of our lives, but we don’t want Him to be our life.

The church in Laodicea didn’t think they had a problem. Jesus said otherwise:

“You say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing… not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17

Their comfort had numbed them to their spiritual condition. And that’s the danger for us too.

God Doesn’t Want Half Our Hearts

Jesus says, “I wish you were either hot or cold.” That’s striking. He would rather us be cold—disengaged, even defiant—than pretend to follow Him with a lukewarm heart.

Why? Because lukewarm faith masks spiritual death with religious activity.

It says, “I’m good with God,” while quietly ignoring His voice. It sings the songs but skips the surrender. It hears the Word but doesn’t obey it.

Jesus isn’t interested in part-time disciples. He calls for full surrender.

What Does “On Fire” Look Like?

God wants us to be on fire for him.

To be “on fire” for God doesn’t mean living in constant emotional hype. It means living with clear-eyed devotion, Spirit-led obedience, and a holy dissatisfaction with anything less than God’s best.

It’s:

• Choosing Scripture over scrolling.

• Praying with purpose, not just out of routine.

• Confessing sin instead of hiding it.

• Loving sacrificially.

• Prioritizing the kingdom over personal comfort.

This kind of life costs something. But it’s also the only life that truly satisfies.

Jesus Is Knocking

Even in His harshest rebuke, Jesus offers hope:

“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock…”— Revelation 3:19–20

Lukewarmness doesn’t have to be the end of the story.

If the Spirit is convicting you—don’t ignore Him. Open the door. Repent. Reignite the fire. God is not waiting to condemn you—He’s ready to restore you.

Fellow Pilgrims, Let’s Not Settle

We weren’t saved to live lukewarm lives. We were saved to burn brightly for God—to live with purpose, urgency, and joy. Let’s stop asking how much we can get away with and start asking how close we can get to Jesus.

May our lives be so surrendered, so alive in Christ, that the world around us can’t help but take notice.

Until the Journey is Complete,

Jonathan Pilgrim