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Lukewarm Religion

Lukewarm religion is powerless Christianity that maintains religious form while denying supernatural power. It is the opposite of the Way of Fire.

God's Response to Lukewarmness​

"I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth." — Revelation 3:15-16

Jesus would rather you be completely cold than lukewarm. Lukewarm religion is so offensive to God that He will spit it out.

Characteristics of Lukewarm Religion​

Checkbox Christianity​

  • Church on Sunday? Check.
  • Say grace before meals? Check.
  • Don't murder anyone? Check.

Weekend Christians, weekday atheists. Making decisions based on worldly wisdom while sprinkling in religious rituals for "flood insurance."

Form Without Power​

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." — 2 Timothy 3:5

Lukewarm churches have:

Seeker-Friendly Compromise​

Some churches have stopped calling sin what it is. They've become therapeutic institutions focused on making people feel good rather than transforming them into the image of Christ.

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears." — 2 Timothy 4:3

Legalistic Dead Religion​

Others have gone the opposite direction—creating such rigid religious legalism that they've squeezed all the joy and power out of following Jesus.

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess." — Matthew 23:25

Signs Your Church Might Be Lukewarm​

  • You don't feel the presence of God when you gather
  • You're not being equipped to cast out demons and heal the sick
  • You don't see signs, wonders, and miracles
  • Your pastor denies that God still works supernaturally today
  • The preaching doesn't convict your heart or challenge you
  • People leave the same way they came—unchanged
  • There's no hunger for more of God

If these describe your church, you're not being fed.

Why Lukewarm Religion Might Be Worse Than Atheism​

At least explicit materialists don't pretend to offer a real spiritual pathway. Lukewarm religion gives people just enough religion to feel spiritual while leaving them powerless and unprepared for eternity.

The Alternative​

The alternative is the Way of Fire:

  • Complete surrender to Christ
  • Daily relationship with the Holy Spirit
  • Supernatural power as normal
  • Obedience that costs everything
  • Fire that transforms everything

What To Do If You're in a Lukewarm Church​

"From such turn away." — 2 Timothy 3:5

Find a ministry where:

  • The power of God is actually moving
  • The Holy Spirit is honored
  • Miracles happen regularly
  • You're equipped to walk in supernatural authority
  • The glory of God is unmistakable when you gather

See Encounter Church for an example of fire-filled ministry.