What are the signs of a lukewarm Christian? Before we begin, let’s first define who a lukewarm Christian is.
So who is a lukewarm Christian? A lukewarm Christian is someone who is not entirely committed to their faith. They claim to be followers of Jesus but live as though they are sufficient in themselves and don’t need Him.
They might attend church, but they’re content in their own ways and rarely apply what they learn.
They might attend a worship service, but they treat it like a concert, only engaging if the music or teaching fits their preference. They might do charitable deeds only after weighing how it will benefit them.
Furthermore, lukewarm Christians dismiss their need for God and disconnect from the concept of a relationship with Him because they believe they are sufficient in and of themselves.
What The Bible Says About Lukewarmness
Revelation 3:15 – 17 reveals the mind of God about lukewarmness. It says, “Because you are lukewarm–neither hot nor cold–I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
Because you say, I am rich, I have become wealthy, and have need of nothing – and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked.”
Seven letters from Jesus to the seven churches in late first-century Asia Minor are found in the first three chapters of Revelation (now western Turkey).
In the letter to Laodicea, he says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!”
Laodicea was well-known for its numerous banks, great medical school, and clothing industry. But, according to Jesus, it was not rich but poor, not healthy but blind, and not properly clothed but naked.
Because of their resources, they chose to rely on themselves rather than on Jesus. Their issue was not a lack of zeal but a sense of self-sufficiency. They placed their trust in themselves rather than in God.
This passage portrays persons who are so sure of themselves that they appear to have no need for God. They remain neutral when they should be standing for Him because they believe they have no need for Him.
As a result, they compromise rather than stand for righteousness.That is why it is so harmful to be a lukewarm Christian. Lukewarm Christianity teaches Christians that sacrificing their faith is acceptable.
Instead of fighting for righteousness, lukewarm Christianity encourages the church to remain neutral.
So what are the signs of a lukewarm Christian?
In this article, we will look at seventeen of them as they will show how to know if you’re a lukewarm Christian.
1. Lukewarm Christians Follow Trends Rather Than Their Faith
One of the signs of a lukewarm Christian is when you follow trends just because it is popular, even when it goes against God’s commands.
Lukewarm Christians frequently choose what is popular over what is genuinely right when faced with a problem.
They have a strong desire to appear ‘good’ not only in the eyes of the church but also in the eyes of the world.
They are more concerned with how others perceive them and less concerned with what God thinks of their hearts and lives.
I’m not one for following trends. I’m more of a “go against the grain” type of person. But, I have to admit, even I get caught up in trends from time to time.
It’s human nature. We see something new and shiny and we just have to have it. The latest iPhone. The newest fashion. The hottest new restaurant. We want to be on the cutting edge, and we want everyone to know it.
The same is true when it comes to our faith. We see something new and exciting happening in the church, and we want to be a part of it.
We want to be seen as spiritual and open-minded. But, in our haste to be seen as “cool,” we often forget what we’re supposed to be following in the first place.
Our faith should be the foundation of our lives, not a trend that we follow when it’s convenient. But, unfortunately, too many Christians are content to be lukewarm in their faith, following whatever new trend comes along.
They don’t really stand for anything, and their faith is more of an accessory than a way of life. In Luke 6:20 – 26 Jesus warns His disciples about having the mindset of living to please others at the extent of ther faith.
It says; “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who hunger now, for you will be satisfied. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.
“Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. For that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. “But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort.
Woe to you who are well fed now, for you will go hungry. Woe to you who laugh now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when everyone speaks well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.”
2. Only Calls On God When In Trouble Or In Need
A Christian only praying and calling on God when in trouble or need is one of the signs of a lukewarm Christian. Devoted believers pray not only for their needs but for fellowship.
They understand that seeking God is a duty and a privilege.When was the last time you spoke to God? Was it during a difficult time in your life? This is a typical symptom of a lukewarm Christian.
A lukewarm Christian frequently puts God on the back burner. They are aware of God, yet they do not pursue him on a daily basis. This can manifest as minimal dialogue or time spent with God.
When in need, a lukewarm Christian will typically turn to God. In other cases, lukewarm Christians or even nonbelievers will only pray to God in wrath or irritation as a result of terrible circumstances.
To stop this, consider your conversations with God and how frequently you reach out to Him. Remember, just like in the real world.
We must chat with our friends and family on a regular basis in order to grow and nourish our connections. We should always desire to reach out and communicate with our heavenly Father.
3. Doesn’t Share Their Faith With Nonbelievers
When was the last time you discussed your faith with someone who was not a believer? Unfortunately, this is common for many Christians, and we should consider how we share our beliefs.
However, this is not on the radar of many lukewarm Christians. It is simply not a priority for them to share their beliefs with nonbelievers.
We can easily make excuses for this, such as being “too busy,” forgetful, or not having many opportunities to proclaim the truth.
Why not now, if you’ve never discussed your religion with nonbelievers or the gospel with anyone? If you find it difficult to share your faith with others, check out our post on all of the creative yet simple ways to share the gospel!
We are saved to save others and to refuse to share our faith with our nonbelieving friends is one of the signs of a lukewarm Christian.
4. Do Not Read God’s Word
It is no secret that Bible reading is essential to the Christian life. However, there are many dangers associated with not reading the Bible regularly. Yet lukewarm Christians would rather attempt life without the road map to life itself.
One of the signs of a lukewarm Christian is refusing to read or study God’s word. While many may have time to do other things, they can’t just seem to create time for the scriptures.
A lukewarm Christian is someone who does not read or study the Bible regularly. This is a huge problem because, without the Word of God, we are left to our own methods and our own understanding of things.
The Bible is our source of truth; when we don’t read it, we are more likely to fall into error.The Bible is our guide for living. It teaches us how to please God and how to avoid sin.
Without regular Bible reading, we cannot differentiate right from wrong according to God’s will. The Bible is our source of truth. It is the foundation on which our beliefs are built.
If we do not read the Bible, we will not properly understand who God is and what he has done for us.
5. Puts Their Faith Within Themselves Rather Than God
A lack of complete trust and faith is one of the signs of a lukewarm Christian. Lukewarm Christians tend to rely on themselves instead of placing their complete trust in God.
They always rely on their own plans if life doesn’t turn out the way they had hoped.They give thanks to God when things are going well, but when things are hard, their “faith” tends to wane.
They don’t have complete faith in God. Therefore instead of relying on Him, they often become highly dependent on themselves.
They make plans without considering God’s mind over the issues as though He isn’t a factor to be considered. As believers, we are expected to put our trust in God and nothing else.
6. Not Sold Out For Jesus
There are many Christians who are not sold out for Jesus. They are lukewarm in their faith and are not on fire for God. This is a problem because lukewarm Christians are not effective witnesses for Christ.
They are not passionate about their faith, so they are ineffective in sharing the gospel with others.It is important for Christians to be passionate about their faith.
When we are bursting with zeal for God, we are effective witnesses for Christ. We are able to share the gospel with others and lead them to Christ.
Lukewarm Christians need to realize that they are not effective witnesses for Christ and they need to get to building their zeal for God.
So one of the signs of a lukewarm Christian is not being committed to Him. When they lack passion and zeal for the things of God and when they are half-hearted in their faith and in their commitment to Christ.
They are lukewarm in their love for God and in their obedience to His Word.
7. Rarely Are Willing To Help Others
In today’s society, it is common to see people turn a blind eye to those in need. Whether it’s because they’re too busy, or they simply don’t care, many people choose not to help others. However, a special group of people fall into a different category.
These are the people who claim to be Christians but don’t actually live out their faith.Compassion is one of the many things that can be easily seen in the lives of devoted followers of Jesus.
Unfortunately, lukewarm Christians rarely desire to assist others (usually in a self-sacrificing manner), whether through their time or resources.
So one of the many signs of a lukewarm Christian is when a person finds it difficult or is unwilling to give their time or resources to others in need.
Even though this can be hard to come to terms with, we have to think about how often we’ve ignored someone in need or when was the last time we’ve helped someone without expecting anything in return.
Lukewarm Christians might volunteer their time at a soup kitchen, but only if they’re going to get recognition for it. They might give money to a homeless person, but only if they know, they’ll get a tax deduction for it.
In other words, they only help others if there’s something in it for them.Unfortunately, this selfish attitude does nothing to help those in need.
It also does nothing to further the cause of Christianity. In fact, it does the opposite.When people see lukewarm Christians behaving this way, it only reinforces the stereotype that Christians are self-righteous and hypocritical.
8. Enjoys And Continues To Live In Habitual Sin
For lukewarm Christians, it’s easy to continue living in habitual sin. They enjoy the benefits of sinning, and they don’t want to give them up. They rationalize our choices, making excuses for their behaviour.
Lukewarm Christians typically want the penalty of sin taken away from them, not their actual sins. If you find yourself in habitual sin with no desire or effort to change that, it’s a sure sign you are living in lukewarm faith.
Many lukewarm Christians enjoy and continue to live in habitual sin because they don’t see it as a big deal. They normalize their behaviour by saying that everyone sins and that it’s just a part of life.
Regardless of all these, living in continuous sin is frowned upon by God, s we are expected to make a change that will reveal the new birth at work in us.
Making these changes won’t be easy, but it’s worth it. When we live in habitual sin, we’re not living the life God wants us to live.
9. Scared Of Men Rather Than God
Do you feel embarrassed to talk about Jesus? Do you want to conform to the beliefs and fashions that are in vogue? Unfortunately, if you responded positively, you may exhibit one of the characteristics of a lukewarm Christian.
Christians who are lukewarm to God often prefer to blend in with the crowd. What am I referring to here? They would rather play it safe and win over everyone than risk facing criticism or humiliation for defending their beliefs.
Especially when asked about subjects that are now considered to be “controversial” by society.
10. Don’t Have A Quiet Time Or See The Need For One
One of the signs of a lukewarm Christian is not having time alone for Jesus or even seeing the need for one. As a result, lukewarm Christians are missing out on a key spiritual discipline that can help them grow in their faith.
A quiet time is a time set aside each day for prayer, Bible reading, and meditation. It is a time to be still and hear from God. Too often, Christians try to fit God into their already busy lives instead of making time for Him.
As a result, their faith becomes lukewarm. They may go to church on Sunday, but they don’t give God any attention during the week.
A quiet time is essential for a healthy spiritual life. It is a time to slow down and connect with God. It is a time to reflect on His Word and to pray for His guidance.
If you are not currently making time for a daily quiet time, I encourage you to start today. It will make a world of difference in your relationship with God.
11. You’re More Concerned With Living Your Best Life Now Than With Eternity.
One of the signs of a lukewarm Christian is being more concerned with living our best life and not caring so much about eternity. This is because they love their flesh even to extent of always pleasing it.
As a Christian, it’s natural to want to live your best life now. But is that really what God wants for us?
Some people believe that being a Christian is more about enjoying the life you have now and not worrying about eternity.
But is that really what God wants for us? The Bible tells us that we should be more concerned with living for God and eternity than with our earthly lives.
In Matthew 6:19-21, Jesus says, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”This passage is a clear instruction from Jesus that our focus should be on eternity, not on the things of this world that will eventually fade away.
So if you’re more concerned with living your best life now than with eternity, ask yourself if that’s really what God wants for you.
12. Prayer Is A Chore
If you’re a lukewarm Christian, then you know the feeling. Prayer can feel like a chore, something that you have to do but don’t want to.
But why does it have to be this way? Prayer is supposed to be a time when you connect with God and talk to him and listen to him.
While they go to church on Sundays, maybe even Wednesdays, but they don’t really pray. Oh, they’ll say a quick prayer before meals and bed, but they don’t really get down on their knees and pour out their hearts to God.
A lukewarm Christian is often content with just being “good enough.” But the truth is, being a lukewarm Christian is not good enough. If we are not fully committed to our faith, we are not living up to our potential as Christians.
13. You Ignore Teaching And Conviction
Christians eager about living a Holy life are often given counsel from other mature Christians. Unfortunately, many of these lukewarm Christians reject this counsel because they don’t see the importance of being committed to Christ.
One of the many signs of a lukewarm Christian is that they ignore teaching and conviction. They don’t allow others, the Holy Spirit, or even the Bible to counsel them.
14. You Welcome And Value Teachings Of Philosophers And Thought Leaders
Lukewarm Christians tend to value these over the full counsel of God. A lukewarm Christian allows philosophies and ideologies to be the foundations of their choices.
They expect God’s grace to uphold them even when they oppose Him with their choices.
15. You Expect God To Conform To The Will Of People
Instead of exhorting people to follow God’s will. A lukewarm Christian will allow society to reframe and change what God has made clear.
They bend the word of God and His will to fit the narative of the world so they can be accepted and fit in as “cool Christians.”
16. You Are Not Rich Towards God
It’s a sad fact, but many Christians are lukewarm in their faith today. They may go to church on Sunday, but the rest of the week, they don’t think about God or give any thought to living a Christ-like life.
So when it comes to giving to God, they may tithe begrudgingly or not at all. This is a shame because when we give to God, we are acknowledging that everything we have is a gift from Him.
We are also showing our faith that He will provide for us, even when we give generously. When we give to God, we are putting our trust in Him.
If you are a lukewarm Christian, I encourage you to take a step of faith and give generously to God. You may be surprised at how good it feels to put your trust in Him and to know that you are living a life that is pleasing to Him.
17. Your Behaviour Is More Worldly Than Godly
Lastly, one of the signs of a lukewarm Christian is in the disposition of their character. The way they behave, how they talk, dress and react doesn’t often bring glory or honour to God.
As believers we must ensure our behaviour display Christ always. There has to be a clear and obvious difference between a Christian and an unbeliever.
Conclusion
A lukewarm Christian is someone who is not passionate about God. They may go to church and do all the “right” things, but their heart is not in it.
If you are a lukewarm Christian, ask God to set your heart on fire for Him. Pray that He would give you a passion for Him and His Word. Don’t be content with lukewarm faith. Strive to be on fire for God!
Save this for later!
