Understanding Lukewarm

[GuidanceNeeded]

I have heard the term lukewarm used several times, but honestly I have no clue what it means .

Is this a term used with just certain religions? Can someone please explain it to me?

God Bless
Melissa

 

[Phileoeklogos]

Lukewarm = Not hot, not cold, not dead, but not showing any signs of life. Not sure if other religions use the term or not, but since they are all dead, lukewarm would be an improvement for them.

 

[GuidanceNeeded]

Lukewarm = Not hot, not cold, not dead, but not showing any signs of life. Not sure if other religions use the term or not, but since they are all dead, lukewarm would be an improvement for them.

LOL Ok, thank you......I think

But I thought when people talked about "lukewarm" they were referring to ones relationship with Jesus.

 

[icamewithasword]

But I thought when people talked about "lukewarm" they were referring to ones relationship with Jesus.

"Lukewarm" towards Jesus could be the one that goes to church on Sundays but may not truly believe (?)

 

[Phileoeklogos]

LOL Ok, thank you......I think

But I thought when people talked about "lukewarm" they were referring to ones relationship with Jesus.

Yes, it is used as reference to our relationship with Christ, it's kind of a slang term for lack of zeal, and or spiritual laziness, read Rev 3:14-22.

 

[Mykael]

"Lukewarm" refers primarily to temperature. It can be used to describe someone's spirituality, but the word itself doesn't have any religious/spiritual connotations.

Lukewarm

–adjective-

1. moderately warm; tepid.

2. having or showing little ardor, zeal, or enthusiasm; indifferent: lukewarm applause.

 

[MrJG]

Lukewarm, as mentioned above is what Christ uses to describe the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-16. Notice what the verse says:
15 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot."
16 "So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
I like to think of "lukewarm" as a cup of coffee that has been sitting out for about an hour and it is room temperature. When you take a swig of it, all you want to do is spue (spit) it out. Christ says in v. 15 that He wishes they were either cold or hot instead of lukewarm. He wants us to be on fire for Him, but those Christians who come to church everyone once in a blue moon or never witness or never serve in church but are just there taking up space are useless. He is saying if you are not on fire for me, you might as well not even be a believer because you would be doing the same thing as a lukewarm Christian. These Christians are "living in Babylon" as I heard a preacher say. In Rev.3:17, the Bible describes the Laodiceans as having need for nothing. They are like the Jewish captives in Babylon eating the king's meat and living in Babylonian houses and wearing Babylonian garments and satisfied with being there instead of being in Israel (the type of being right with God in our Christian life). While some were serving God there (Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) many fell away from God. Lukewarm Christians are the same way, they are satisfied with the things of the world, and not with wanting to return to Israel to serve God.

Hope this helped instead of confused .

 

[GuidanceNeeded]

Lukewarm, as mentioned above is what Christ uses to describe the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:15-16. Notice what the verse says:
15 "I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot."
16 "So then, because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth."
I like to think of "lukewarm" as a cup of coffee that has been sitting out for about an hour and it is room temperature. When you take a swig of it, all you want to do is spue (spit) it out. Christ says in v. 15 that He wishes they were either cold or hot instead of lukewarm. He wants us to be on fire for Him, but those Christians who come to church everyone once in a blue moon or never witness or never serve in church but are just there taking up space are useless. He is saying if you are not on fire for me, you might as well not even be a believer because you would be doing the same thing as a lukewarm Christian. These Christians are "living in Babylon" as I heard a preacher say. In Rev.3:17, the Bible describes the Laodiceans as having need for nothing. They are like the Jewish captives in Babylon eating the king's meat and living in Babylonian houses and wearing Babylonian garments and satisfied with being there instead of being in Israel (the type of being right with God in our Christian life). While some were serving God there (Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) many fell away from God. Lukewarm Christians are the same way, they are satisfied with the things of the world, and not with wanting to return to Israel to serve God.

Hope this helped instead of confused .

Thank you and no you didn't confuse me; just lead me to more questions LOL.

I don't always go to church, but I read my Bible and I'm trying to educate myself on the Bible. I have never been a believer that you have to go to church to be a follower of Jesus. But does this mean I am lukewarm? Does this mean he will turn me away?

Sorry for the questions and thank you for everyones time

God Bless
Melissa

 

[MrJG]

Thank you and no you didn't confuse me; just lead me to more questions LOL.

I don't always go to church, but I read my Bible and I'm trying to educate myself on the Bible. I have never been a believer that you have to go to church to be a follower of Jesus. But does this mean I am lukewarm? Does this mean he will turn me away?

Sorry for the questions and thank you for everyones time

God Bless
Melissa

Well, let me try to answer all of these (but not necessarily in order).

1) If you are saved, then no, Christ will not turn you away. Once you are saved, you are always saved. You are sealed by the Holy Spirit and you are a child of God.

2) Even if you don't go to church, you are a follower of God if you are saved as I mentioned above. There is a difference though between being saved and living a life trying to be more like Christ. This is our goal on earth as Christians: to live like Christ and to bring glory to God.

3) Are you lukewarm because you do not regularly attend church?
I am not going to give you a yes or no answer here, but tell instead what the Bible says. I will then leave it up to you decide what you feel you should do. I am sure that you are familiar with verses such as Hebrews 10:25 where the Bible says to not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. There are also verses that don't say anything about going to church, but that say why church is important. Ephesians 4:11-12 says "And He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ."
By going to church, we can grow as Christians and become more like Christ. We can help to edify others and learn more about the scriptures. We also have in Romans 14:19 "Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another." Church is not just gathering for preaching but it is also a place where we can serve God. I am not telling you that you are lukewarm, because I do not know you and it is not my place to judge you. I am just here telling you what the Bible says. I would encourage you to find a good gospel preaching local church to attend. There are somethings that we as individual Christians can study and find out for ourselves, but church services are another way to find out more and to learn things from other more knowledgeable Christians. It is a place to move from the milk to the meat.

*Note*
Also, remember that when the Bible talks about lukewarm Christians in Revelation, it is talking to a church, a body of believers who as a whole are not living for God, not serving God, not trying to grow and be more like Christ. This is what a lukewarm Christian is, not just someone who doesn't go to church services regularly, because the Laodiceans were regular church attenders.

 

[GuidanceNeeded]

Jeremy,

Thank you very much for your explanation. I used to attend church on a regular basis, but then drifted away and started living as I wanted to live instead of living the life Jesus Christ wants me to live.

I appreciate the time you took to explain that to me.

God Bless
Melissa

 

[toolite]

I have heard the term lukewarm used several times, but honestly I have no clue what it means .

Is this a term used with just certain religions? Can someone please explain it to me?

God Bless
Melissa

Lukewarm to me means. Staying consistant no matter what comes your way. You get bad news- you don't spend days upset or crying then a couple days later your happy. It all ties back into knowing who your provider is and what your provider can do. What you know the truth and experience the truth then things don't bother you and you can remain the same no matter whats said to you. That's over time an accomplishment because we are emotional naturally but, the Holy Ghost is your trainer and shows you how to grow spiritually instead of worldly. Stay Blessed.

All The Glory Will Always Be Given To God!