June 25, 2025 • 30 mins
Are you on fire for God or surviving on a spiritual flicker? That's the burning question at the heart of this soul-stirring episode that confronts the deadly deception of lukewarm faith.
The dangerous middle ground between hot obedience and cold rebellion isn't just disappointing to God—it's offensive. Drawing from Revelation 3:15-16, we explore why Jesus would rather us be completely cold than tepid in our faith. This lukewarm existence looks spiritual on the surface while masking a heart that loves comfort more than Christ, and it's far more common in our churches than many want to admit.
Through unflinching biblical truth, we identify the telltale signs of lukewarmness: prioritizing God only when convenient, justifying private compromises, believing in forgiveness without practicing repentance, and building a life around worldly success while squeezing Jesus into the margins. These patterns don't just lead to an underwhelming faith—they potentially lead to eternal separation from God.
The most chilling warning comes from Matthew 7:21-23, where Jesus declares to many religious people: "I never knew you." These aren't atheists He's addressing, but people who claimed His name, performed religious duties, and appeared spiritual while never truly surrendering. In these last days, as prophesied in Scripture, this spiritual lukewarmness becomes even more dangerous as believers compromise truth for comfort, setting themselves up for great deception.
But there's hope for the half-hearted! We outline practical steps to break free from spiritual numbness and reignite your relationship with Christ: honest repentance, returning to your first love for Jesus, pursuing holiness with urgency, saturating yourself in Scripture daily, and surrounding yourself with believers who refuse to settle.
This isn't about religious performance—it's about authentic transformation. Ready to move beyond lukewarm living? Let today be the day your soul wakes up and your spiritual fire burns bright once more.
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The Intro/Outro music is Are You Ready? by Floodgate. From the Album, Are You Ready? copyright 2002 OffBeat Ministries, Inc.
Floodgate is available on Apple Music and iTunes.
Music used with permission.
Thank You. I Love You!
SEE YA!
Rick
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
The world is changing and time is running out.
This is Renewed Mindsets, wherewe confront Biblical truth
head-on no sugarcoating, nocompromise.
We expose false doctrine,reveal fulfilled prophecy and
shine light on the demonicdeception of these last days,
(00:21):
but we also stand firm on thehope of Christ's return, the
call to holiness and the urgencyof true salvation.
It's time to renew your mind,for the time is now.
Let's go, boys.
Hey, I'm Rick and I'm so gladyou're here.
(00:48):
Let's cut through the noise.
Today.
This is not about attendance.
It's not about denominations.
It's not about how well yousing or how many verses you've
got memorized.
This is about fire.
Are you on fire for God or areyou just surviving on a flicker?
(01:09):
Because Jesus didn't warnsinners in Revelation 3.
He warned the church.
He warned the ones who thoughtthey were fine.
And today, if you feel likeyour faith has gotten stale, if
you're just going through themotions, if your love for God
has cooled off and yourlifestyle blends in more than it
(01:31):
stands out, then this episodewas written for you.
This is Renewed Mindsets andthis message might just save
your soul.
So let me start off with somescripture today.
This is kind of a foundation ofthis whole episode.
First we got Revelation 3, 15,and 16.
(01:54):
I know all the things you do,that you are neither hot nor
cold.
I wish that you were one or theother, but since you are like
lukewarm water neither hot norcold I will spit you out of my
mouth.
The next is from Matthew 15, 8and 9.
There you go.
So what exactly is a lukewarmChristian?
(02:15):
Well, it's somebody whose hearthas settled into comfort.
They believe in God, but theirbelief doesn't transform them.
(02:37):
They pray when it's convenient,they read scripture when they
need something.
They call Jesus Savior, but notLord.
Lukewarm believers are caughtin the dangerous middle ground
between hot obedience and coldrebellion.
They have enough religion tofeel secure, but not enough fire
(02:58):
to be surrendered.
They're spiritually neutral,and neutrality has never been
the posture of a true disciple.
In Revelation 3, jesus said he'drather somebody be cold than
lukewarm.
That should stop us in ourtracks.
Cold is disconnected, it'sdistant, unaware, but lukewarm
(03:22):
is deceived.
Lukewarm says I'm fine, I haveall I need.
God is good, but so am I.
Jesus sees that and he says youdon't even realize that you're
wretched, poor, blind and naked.
Lukewarmness is not passive.
(03:42):
It's offensive to God becauseit takes the blood of Jesus and
treats it like an accessory.
It claims grace but it resistsall change.
Lukewarm Christianity isdeceptive because it looks
spiritual on the outside, butunderneath it's weak, it's
compromised and it'sself-serving.
(04:04):
It thrives on people who appearto follow Jesus but live with
divided hearts, but underneathit's weak, it's compromised and
it's self-serving.
It thrives on people who appearto follow Jesus but live with
divided hearts.
Now here's how it shows up.
Those people they prioritizeGod when it's convenient, but
not when it conflicts with theircomfort.
Like they pray at meals andthey post scripture on social
media, but they skip church whenthey're tired or bored or have
(04:31):
something better to do.
Those people also avoid majorsins, but they justify their
private compromises.
I mean, they're not going tosteal or murder, but they're
going to binge watch some filthon TV.
They're going to flirt with sin.
They're going to gossip in thename of prayer and call it just
being real.
Yeah, you know people like thatMight be you.
(04:52):
Those people believe inforgiveness, but they rarely,
rarely walk in repentance.
They say things like nobody'sperfect as a cover for repeating
the same sin, without evertruly turning from it.
Those people like the idea ofheaven, but they live like the
world is their prize.
They build their entire lifearound their career, their goals
(05:17):
, their image, and they justsqueeze Jesus into the margins
like a hobby.
Those people say Jesus is Lord,but they don't surrender their
decisions to him, and they justsqueeze Jesus into the margins
like a hobby.
Those people say Jesus is Lord,but they don't surrender their
decisions to him.
They make choices,life-altering choices like
dating, marriage, finances,parenting, entertainment,
(05:38):
without ever asking what pleasesGod.
Lukewarm believers say that theylove the Lord, but they date
unbelievers because it's hard tofind a good Christian guy.
They wear crosses around theirnecks but not on their backs.
They serve when there'srecognition, they give when it's
(05:59):
tax deductible.
They worship when theatmosphere feels right, but
there's no daily dying to self.
They've got no hunger forholiness.
They've got no tears ofrepentance.
Jesus says in Matthew 7.16, ifthere's no fruit, there's no
(06:20):
fire, and if there's no fire,there's no abiding presence of
God.
Lukewarm believers have gottenjust close enough to Jesus to
feel spiritual, but they stayedjust far enough to remain in
control.
And that middle ground, thatain't safe, it's deadly.
(06:41):
Yeah, I'm going to stopsugarcoating it for y'all's
benefit.
Lukewarm Christianity leads todeath, not just emotional
exhaustion, not just spiritualdryness, but eternal separation
from God.
This is not a game, this is nota minor flaw in somebody's
(07:03):
faith walk.
This is spiritual deceptionwith eternal consequences.
Jesus wasn't vague in hiswarning.
He said in Revelation 3.16,.
That's not poetry, people, it'snot symbolic, that is judgment.
(07:27):
Lukewarm believers do not justmiss out on blessings, they miss
heaven if they don't repent.
We have grown so soft in thisAmericanized church that this
truth makes people uncomfortable.
Comfortable, but it should.
Eternity is real and Jesus madeit clear.
(07:48):
Calling him Lord is not thesame as living like he is.
Look at his words in Matthew 7,21 through 23.
Not everyone who calls out to me, lord, lord, will enter the
kingdom of heaven.
Only those who actually do thewill of my Father in heaven will
enter On judgment day.
(08:09):
Many will say to me Lord, lord,we prophesied in your name and
cast out demons in your name andperform many miracles in your
name.
But I will reply I never knewyou.
Get away from me, you who breakGod's laws.
Those aren't atheists.
They're people who claim hisname, who knew the language, who
(08:33):
looked the part, but they neversurrendered, they never
repented, they never obeyed,they were lukewarm, and Jesus
says it plainly I never knew you.
That should terrify us intotransformation.
What's it look like whensomebody lives lukewarm and
(08:55):
never repents?
It's a man who goes to churchevery Sunday.
He raises his hands in worship,but he cheats on his taxes.
He watches porn at night.
He never confronts hisaddiction because God
understands.
It looks like a woman who singsin the choir but never forgives
(09:17):
the people who hurt her becauseshe thinks her worship cancels
out the bitterness.
It looks like a young adult whoreads a devotional on Instagram
every morning but sleeps withher boyfriend every night,
convinced that grace meansthey're still covered.
This people is not repentance.
This is rebellion dressed inreligious clothing.
(09:39):
Hebrews 10, 26, and 27 says iteven more directly.
Dear friends, if wedeliberately continue sinning
after we've received knowledgeof the truth, there is no longer
any sacrifice that will coverthese sins.
There's only the terribleexpectation of God's judgment
and the raging fire that willconsume his enemies.
(10:00):
This is not about perfection.
This is about direction.
Are you chasing righteousnessor are you making excuses for
compromise?
Because here's the reality.
Lukewarm Christians blend inwith the culture.
They speak Christianese, buttheir hearts remain unchanged.
(10:20):
They avoid the deep cost offollowing Jesus because they
still want control of their ownlife.
They serve God when it benefitsthem, but they bow out when it
requires suffering.
Lukewarmness is a refusal todie to self, and the gospel
requires that death.
Galatians 2.20 says my old selfhas been crucified with Christ.
(10:46):
It is no longer I who live, butChrist lives in me.
If you're still calling theshots, if you're still defending
your sin, if you're stillclinging to comfort, then you're
not living crucified, you'reliving lukewarm and you are in
danger.
Because when Christ returns,he's not coming for lukewarm
(11:09):
people who had good intentions.
He's coming for the people whowere sealed, surrendered and
burning with holy fire.
Lukewarm Christianity leads todestruction because it mocks the
sacrifice of Christ.
Imagine standing before thethrone of God and realizing that
you sang about him, you talkedabout him, you even believed in
(11:30):
him, but you never, eversurrendered to him.
You spent your whole life nearthe fire, but you never let it
consume you, you never let itrefine you, you never let it
cost you.
Luke warmness will give youchurch attendance and moral
behavior, but it will not giveyou eternal life.
Only a new heart, a surrenderedwill and a spirit-filled life
(11:56):
is going to do that.
So the question is not do yougo to church?
The question is do you know him, Does he know you, and does
your life bear fruit?
That proves it.
If lukewarmness is thetemperature of your soul, it's
(12:16):
time to repent, because where itleads is not life.
It leads to being cast out.
It leads to hearing the mostterrifying words ever spoken I
never knew you, I can barely saythem.
But you don't have to staythere.
(12:36):
You can come back to the fire.
You can lay down your lifeagain, you can be fully his
before it's too late Now.
It's not just today this time.
Lukewarm Christianity has alwaysbeen a threat, but in the last
days, the days that we're livingin, it becomes a weapon of mass
(12:59):
deception.
The spirit of lukewarmnessisn't just laziness, it's a
spiritual cancer.
And in the end times where thelines between truth and lies are
already blurred, lukewarm faithbecomes a breeding ground for
compromise and spiritualcollapse.
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24,12, sin will be rampant
(13:23):
everywhere and the love of manywill grow cold.
This is happening now, not justin the world, but inside the
church.
People are losing their fire.
They're trading holiness forpopularity.
They're trading truth fortolerance.
They're trading the Word of Godfor emotional TED Talks labeled
(13:45):
as sermons.
And it's no accident.
2 Timothy 4, 3 and 4 says atime is coming when people will
no longer listen to sound andwholesome teaching.
They will follow their owndesires and look for teachers
who will tell them whatevertheir itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth andchase after myths.
(14:05):
That time is here.
That time is right now.
Lukewarm believers don't wantthe narrow road.
They want the comfortable one,with soft seats, with low
standards, no confrontation.
They say things like well, godknows my heart as an excuse to
(14:27):
willful sin.
They say well, who are you tojudge?
To defend rebellion?
They say we all sin every dayas a license to never change.
They say, well, that's justlegalism.
Anytime you preach holiness,they say I'm spiritual but not
(14:52):
religious, while walking in zerobiblical submission.
In the end times, that mindsetis deadly.
When persecution rises, lukewarmChristians are going to bow to
the culture.
They will edit theirconvictions.
(15:12):
They'll compromise the gospel.
They'll take the mark, notbecause they hate God, but
because their love was neverreal in the first place.
Jesus said in Matthew 10, 22,.
All nations will hate youbecause you're my followers, but
everyone who endures to the endwill be saved.
(15:33):
That means only those whoendure, only those who stand
firm in truth will be saved.
Let me show you howlukewarmness is already
affecting the church today.
Let me show you howlukewarmness is already
affecting the church today.
Churches are hosting drag queenstory hours in the name of
(15:58):
inclusion.
Worship leaders are livingopenly in sin while leading
people in song.
Pastors avoid entire sectionsof scripture so they don't
offend tithers.
Christians support abortionunder the guise of women's
rights.
Believers post more aboutcelebrities and politics than
they do Jesus.
Parents let their kids dabblein demonic content and then
(16:19):
wonder why anxiety rules theirhomes.
That is not fire, that'scompromise.
And the scary part is many ofthem still believe they're right
with God.
Revelation 3.17 is playing outright in front of us.
You say I am rich, I haveeverything I want, I don't need
(16:40):
a thing, and you don't realizethat you are wretched and
miserable and poor and blind andnaked.
Lukewarmness in the end timesis not just a weakness, it's a
trap, a setup for delusion, awide open door for the
antichrist spirit to walk rightinto the sanctuary, because when
(17:04):
you're numb the fire, youinvite the counterfeit.
2 Thessalonians, 2, 10 and 11says he will use every kind of
evil deception to fool those ontheir way to destruction because
they refuse to love and acceptthe truth that would save them.
So God will cause them to begreatly deceived and they will
(17:25):
believe these lies.
If you're not burning withtruth, you are vulnerable to
deception.
There's no neutral ground.
The world is preparing forfalse peace.
Watch the news the church isbeing sifted, the remnant is
rising and lukewarm Christiansare sleepwalking straight into
(17:47):
judgment.
This, what I'm saying, is notfear-mongering.
This is Scripture.
Now is not the time to softenyour stance.
Now is not the time to coastthrough faith.
Now is not the time to flirtwith sin.
Now is the time to wake up andburn.
(18:09):
So what can you do?
How can you escape this life oflukewarmness and live full,
fully alive?
Lukewarmness doesn't diequietly.
It fights to stay.
It hides behind your routines,religion, pride, convincing you
(18:31):
that you're not that bad, whileyour fire quickly, quietly fades
.
But the good news is this youdon't have to stay lukewarm, you
don't have to stay numb andtired and cold or indifferent.
You can be set on fire again.
But I got to be clear.
You can't drift your way intoholiness.
(18:51):
You can't casually wander backinto intimacy with God.
This is war, people, and youneed to fight for your fire.
Here's how you break free fromlukewarmness and return to a
life that actually burns withthe presence of God.
You need to repent.
You need to repent honestly andimmediately.
(19:16):
Not just I'm sorry, but abreaking, a turning, a surrender
.
Tell God the truth.
God, I have grown cold, I'vebeen lazy.
I've toler grown cold.
I've been lazy.
I've tolerated sin.
I've made excuses.
I want to be changed Acts 3.19,.
Repent and then turn to God sothat your sins may be wiped out,
(19:40):
that times of refreshing maycome from the Lord.
Real repentance births arevival.
Fake repentance only createsmore religious activity.
Don't try to manage yourlukewarmness.
You need to kill it.
Return to your first love.
Do you remember what it feltlike when Jesus first captured
(20:03):
your heart?
When you prayed because youwanted him, not because you
needed something, when worshipwasn't a show but an overflow.
When you prayed because youwanted him, not because you
needed something, when worshipwasn't a show but an overflow.
Revelations chapter 2, 4 and 5says I have this complaint
against you.
You don't love me or each otherlike you did at first.
(20:24):
Look how far you've fallen.
Turn back to me and do theworks that you did at first.
Look how far you've fallen.
Turn back to me and do theworks that you did at first.
You don't need new theology.
You don't need a fresh love.
You need to fall in love withJesus again.
Start spending time with himlike he's a person, not a
program.
(20:45):
Wake up and talk to him Fast,something that dulls your spirit
.
Stop scrolling and open yourBible.
Open a journal and write outyour prayers.
Don't just study about him.
Sit with him.
You need to pursue holinesswith urgency.
(21:07):
Lukewarm Christians treat sinlike a pet On fire.
Christians treat sin like a petOn fire.
Christians treat sin likepoison.
If you want to be free, you'vegot to walk in the fear of the
Lord again.
That means setting boundaries.
That means canceling the show,deleting the app, walking away
(21:28):
from the relationship.
It means choosing purity overpleasure, obedience over
convenience.
2 Corinthians 7.1,.
Let us cleanse ourselves fromeverything that can defile our
body or spirit and let us worktoward complete holiness,
because we fear God.
(21:49):
If you want the fire of God,you can't keep feeding the flesh
.
If you're watching shows thatglorify sin, you're feeding the
lukewarm life.
If you're sleeping with someoneand you're not married to them,
your fire is being extinguished.
If you're constantly gossiping,harboring bitterness, living
(22:14):
with unrepented pride, you'renot surrendered, you're stagnant
.
Holiness is not legalism.
It's evidence that the fire isreal.
You need to saturate yourselfin Scripture every single day.
Lukewarm believers snack on theWord, the surrendered people.
(22:36):
They believe and they live onit.
If you're not in the Word ofGod, you'll never walk in the
will of God.
I have hidden your word in myheart that I might not sin
against you.
That's Psalm 119.11.
Don't just read verses when youneed encouragement.
Let the Bible correct you,convict you, cleanse you.
(22:58):
Write it down, memorize it,speak it out loud in your home,
make your phone background averse, put a sticky note on your
mirror, build your life aroundwhat God says, not how you feel,
and then surround yourself withpeople who refuse to settle.
(23:19):
If your closest friends arelukewarm, you will be too.
If your inner circle iscompromising, you're going to
start to normalize compromise.
Proverbs 13.20 says Walk withthe wise and become wise.
Associate with fools and get introuble.
You need people who will callyou out.
(23:42):
You need community thatconvicts you and builds you up.
If you're the only one in yourgroup chasing holiness.
You need a new group.
Join a small group that praysand fasts together.
Ask somebody to hold youaccountable for real spiritual
goals.
Send each other daily verses orprayer requests.
(24:03):
Talk about what God's doing inyour life more than you talk
about sports, sports or news orpolitics.
Fire spreads, but so doescoldness.
You need to let that fire fallagain.
Don't be content with justenough.
(24:24):
Cry out for more.
Get on your knees and ask theLord to ignite you again.
Ask for hunger, ask for tears,ask for joy, ask for conviction.
Tell God I want you more than Iwant comfort.
Set me on fire again.
Romans 12 11 says Never belacking in zeal, but keep your
(24:46):
spiritual fervor serving theLord.
Some days that means worshipingwhen you feel nothing.
Other days it means shuttingthe door and weeping before God
until the cold parts of yoursoul begin to melt.
Fire doesn't fall on casualhearts.
It falls on altars of sacrifice.
So build one.
(25:07):
Turn off the distractions, turndown the noise, turn back to
God and the fire will come.
You're never going to regretgoing all in for Jesus.
You're never going to look backand wish you had lived more
lukewarm.
You'll never stand before Godand think I should have settled
(25:30):
more.
But you might regret neverwaking up.
You might regret wasting yearshalf in.
You might regret knowing thetruth and still choosing apathy.
It's not about hype.
This is about holiness.
It's not an emotional feeling.
(25:51):
It's about becoming faithful.
Jesus is not coming back forcasual churchgoers.
He's returning for a brideburning with love, clothed in
purity and filled with oil.
So you need to ask yourself amI ready or am I just religious?
(26:12):
This is your moment Repent,return and reignite.
Let this be the day thatlukewarm dies and the fire
begins.
I'm going to wrap this up, butI need to say just a few more
(26:33):
things.
This is not a time to coast.
This is not a time to becomfortable.
This is not the time to blendin.
This is the time to burn.
The fire of God will not reston half-committed people.
He's not calling for churchmembers.
He's calling for soldiers.
(26:54):
He's not calling for churchmembers.
He's calling for soldiers.
He's not looking for thefamiliar crowd.
He's calling out a remnant.
So what are you?
Are you truly his or are youjust nearby?
Because lukewarmness doesn'tlook like rebellion.
It looks like apathy.
It looks like rebellion.
It looks like apathy.
It looks like excuses, it lookslike distraction and it leads
(27:21):
to death.
But today you can repent, youcan return, you can light the
fire again.
Let this be the day your soulwakes up.
Let this be the day thatnumbness ends.
Let this be the day that Jesusis no longer just knocking at
(27:41):
your door because you've alreadylet him in.
This was Renewed Mindsets andthis was your wake-up call, and
this was your wake-up call.
The executive producer ofRenewed Mindsets is Christy
McCurry.
That's all for today, but I'llbe back with more unfiltered
(28:04):
biblical truth and undeniableprophecy.
The time to wake up is now.
If today's episode challengedyou, don't keep it to yourself.
Tell someone.
Please Text them a link.
Share the truth while there'sstill time.
Visit renewedmindsetscom tostay connected and to listen to
past episodes and check out ourmerch at renewedmindsetsstore.
(28:28):
Jesus is coming soon.
Stay watchful, stay holy, stayrenewed Until next week.
I'm Rick.
Be an encourager, not adiscourager.
I love you.
(28:50):
See ya?
The intro and outro music forthe Renewed Mindsets podcast is
Are you Ready?
By Floodgate From the album Areyou Ready, copyright 2002,
offbeat Ministries Incorporated.
(29:12):
Floodgate can be found on AppleMusic and iTunes.
Music used with permission.
The world is changing and time is running out.
This is Renewed Mindsets, wherewe confront Biblical truth
head-on no sugarcoating, nocompromise.
We expose false doctrine,reveal fulfilled prophecy and
shine light on the demonicdeception of these last days,
(00:21):
but we also stand firm on thehope of Christ's return, the
call to holiness and the urgencyof true salvation.
It's time to renew your mind,for the time is now.
Let's go, boys.
Hey, I'm Rick and I'm so gladyou're here.
(00:48):
Let's cut through the noise.
Today.
This is not about attendance.
It's not about denominations.
It's not about how well yousing or how many verses you've
got memorized.
This is about fire.
Are you on fire for God or areyou just surviving on a flicker?
(01:09):
Because Jesus didn't warnsinners in Revelation 3.
He warned the church.
He warned the ones who thoughtthey were fine.
And today, if you feel likeyour faith has gotten stale, if
you're just going through themotions, if your love for God
has cooled off and yourlifestyle blends in more than it
(01:31):
stands out, then this episodewas written for you.
This is Renewed Mindsets andthis message might just save
your soul.
So let me start off with somescripture today.
This is kind of a foundation ofthis whole episode.
First we got Revelation 3, 15,and 16.
(01:54):
I know all the things you do,that you are neither hot nor
cold.
I wish that you were one or theother, but since you are like
lukewarm water neither hot norcold I will spit you out of my
mouth.
The next is from Matthew 15, 8and 9.
There you go.
So what exactly is a lukewarmChristian?
(02:15):
Well, it's somebody whose hearthas settled into comfort.
They believe in God, but theirbelief doesn't transform them.
(02:37):
They pray when it's convenient,they read scripture when they
need something.
They call Jesus Savior, but notLord.
Lukewarm believers are caughtin the dangerous middle ground
between hot obedience and coldrebellion.
They have enough religion tofeel secure, but not enough fire
(02:58):
to be surrendered.
They're spiritually neutral,and neutrality has never been
the posture of a true disciple.
In Revelation 3, jesus said he'drather somebody be cold than
lukewarm.
That should stop us in ourtracks.
Cold is disconnected, it'sdistant, unaware, but lukewarm
(03:22):
is deceived.
Lukewarm says I'm fine, I haveall I need.
God is good, but so am I.
Jesus sees that and he says youdon't even realize that you're
wretched, poor, blind and naked.
Lukewarmness is not passive.
(03:42):
It's offensive to God becauseit takes the blood of Jesus and
treats it like an accessory.
It claims grace but it resistsall change.
Lukewarm Christianity isdeceptive because it looks
spiritual on the outside, butunderneath it's weak, it's
compromised and it'sself-serving.
(04:04):
It thrives on people who appearto follow Jesus but live with
divided hearts, but underneathit's weak, it's compromised and
it's self-serving.
It thrives on people who appearto follow Jesus but live with
divided hearts.
Now here's how it shows up.
Those people they prioritizeGod when it's convenient, but
not when it conflicts with theircomfort.
Like they pray at meals andthey post scripture on social
media, but they skip church whenthey're tired or bored or have
(04:31):
something better to do.
Those people also avoid majorsins, but they justify their
private compromises.
I mean, they're not going tosteal or murder, but they're
going to binge watch some filthon TV.
They're going to flirt with sin.
They're going to gossip in thename of prayer and call it just
being real.
Yeah, you know people like thatMight be you.
(04:52):
Those people believe inforgiveness, but they rarely,
rarely walk in repentance.
They say things like nobody'sperfect as a cover for repeating
the same sin, without evertruly turning from it.
Those people like the idea ofheaven, but they live like the
world is their prize.
They build their entire lifearound their career, their goals
(05:17):
, their image, and they justsqueeze Jesus into the margins
like a hobby.
Those people say Jesus is Lord,but they don't surrender their
decisions to him, and they justsqueeze Jesus into the margins
like a hobby.
Those people say Jesus is Lord,but they don't surrender their
decisions to him.
They make choices,life-altering choices like
dating, marriage, finances,parenting, entertainment,
(05:38):
without ever asking what pleasesGod.
Lukewarm believers say that theylove the Lord, but they date
unbelievers because it's hard tofind a good Christian guy.
They wear crosses around theirnecks but not on their backs.
They serve when there'srecognition, they give when it's
(05:59):
tax deductible.
They worship when theatmosphere feels right, but
there's no daily dying to self.
They've got no hunger forholiness.
They've got no tears ofrepentance.
Jesus says in Matthew 7.16, ifthere's no fruit, there's no
(06:20):
fire, and if there's no fire,there's no abiding presence of
God.
Lukewarm believers have gottenjust close enough to Jesus to
feel spiritual, but they stayedjust far enough to remain in
control.
And that middle ground, thatain't safe, it's deadly.
(06:41):
Yeah, I'm going to stopsugarcoating it for y'all's
benefit.
Lukewarm Christianity leads todeath, not just emotional
exhaustion, not just spiritualdryness, but eternal separation
from God.
This is not a game, this is nota minor flaw in somebody's
(07:03):
faith walk.
This is spiritual deceptionwith eternal consequences.
Jesus wasn't vague in hiswarning.
He said in Revelation 3.16,.
That's not poetry, people, it'snot symbolic, that is judgment.
(07:27):
Lukewarm believers do not justmiss out on blessings, they miss
heaven if they don't repent.
We have grown so soft in thisAmericanized church that this
truth makes people uncomfortable.
Comfortable, but it should.
Eternity is real and Jesus madeit clear.
(07:48):
Calling him Lord is not thesame as living like he is.
Look at his words in Matthew 7,21 through 23.
Not everyone who calls out to me, lord, lord, will enter the
kingdom of heaven.
Only those who actually do thewill of my Father in heaven will
enter On judgment day.
(08:09):
Many will say to me Lord, lord,we prophesied in your name and
cast out demons in your name andperform many miracles in your
name.
But I will reply I never knewyou.
Get away from me, you who breakGod's laws.
Those aren't atheists.
They're people who claim hisname, who knew the language, who
(08:33):
looked the part, but they neversurrendered, they never
repented, they never obeyed,they were lukewarm, and Jesus
says it plainly I never knew you.
That should terrify us intotransformation.
What's it look like whensomebody lives lukewarm and
(08:55):
never repents?
It's a man who goes to churchevery Sunday.
He raises his hands in worship,but he cheats on his taxes.
He watches porn at night.
He never confronts hisaddiction because God
understands.
It looks like a woman who singsin the choir but never forgives
(09:17):
the people who hurt her becauseshe thinks her worship cancels
out the bitterness.
It looks like a young adult whoreads a devotional on Instagram
every morning but sleeps withher boyfriend every night,
convinced that grace meansthey're still covered.
This people is not repentance.
This is rebellion dressed inreligious clothing.
(09:39):
Hebrews 10, 26, and 27 says iteven more directly.
Dear friends, if wedeliberately continue sinning
after we've received knowledgeof the truth, there is no longer
any sacrifice that will coverthese sins.
There's only the terribleexpectation of God's judgment
and the raging fire that willconsume his enemies.
(10:00):
This is not about perfection.
This is about direction.
Are you chasing righteousnessor are you making excuses for
compromise?
Because here's the reality.
Lukewarm Christians blend inwith the culture.
They speak Christianese, buttheir hearts remain unchanged.
(10:20):
They avoid the deep cost offollowing Jesus because they
still want control of their ownlife.
They serve God when it benefitsthem, but they bow out when it
requires suffering.
Lukewarmness is a refusal todie to self, and the gospel
requires that death.
Galatians 2.20 says my old selfhas been crucified with Christ.
(10:46):
It is no longer I who live, butChrist lives in me.
If you're still calling theshots, if you're still defending
your sin, if you're stillclinging to comfort, then you're
not living crucified, you'reliving lukewarm and you are in
danger.
Because when Christ returns,he's not coming for lukewarm
(11:09):
people who had good intentions.
He's coming for the people whowere sealed, surrendered and
burning with holy fire.
Lukewarm Christianity leads todestruction because it mocks the
sacrifice of Christ.
Imagine standing before thethrone of God and realizing that
you sang about him, you talkedabout him, you even believed in
(11:30):
him, but you never, eversurrendered to him.
You spent your whole life nearthe fire, but you never let it
consume you, you never let itrefine you, you never let it
cost you.
Luke warmness will give youchurch attendance and moral
behavior, but it will not giveyou eternal life.
Only a new heart, a surrenderedwill and a spirit-filled life
(11:56):
is going to do that.
So the question is not do yougo to church?
The question is do you know him, Does he know you, and does
your life bear fruit?
That proves it.
If lukewarmness is thetemperature of your soul, it's
(12:16):
time to repent, because where itleads is not life.
It leads to being cast out.
It leads to hearing the mostterrifying words ever spoken I
never knew you, I can barely saythem.
But you don't have to staythere.
(12:36):
You can come back to the fire.
You can lay down your lifeagain, you can be fully his
before it's too late Now.
It's not just today this time.
Lukewarm Christianity has alwaysbeen a threat, but in the last
days, the days that we're livingin, it becomes a weapon of mass
(12:59):
deception.
The spirit of lukewarmnessisn't just laziness, it's a
spiritual cancer.
And in the end times where thelines between truth and lies are
already blurred, lukewarm faithbecomes a breeding ground for
compromise and spiritualcollapse.
Jesus warned us in Matthew 24,12, sin will be rampant
(13:23):
everywhere and the love of manywill grow cold.
This is happening now, not justin the world, but inside the
church.
People are losing their fire.
They're trading holiness forpopularity.
They're trading truth fortolerance.
They're trading the Word of Godfor emotional TED Talks labeled
(13:45):
as sermons.
And it's no accident.
2 Timothy 4, 3 and 4 says atime is coming when people will
no longer listen to sound andwholesome teaching.
They will follow their owndesires and look for teachers
who will tell them whatevertheir itching ears want to hear.
They will reject the truth andchase after myths.
(14:05):
That time is here.
That time is right now.
Lukewarm believers don't wantthe narrow road.
They want the comfortable one,with soft seats, with low
standards, no confrontation.
They say things like well, godknows my heart as an excuse to
(14:27):
willful sin.
They say well, who are you tojudge?
To defend rebellion?
They say we all sin every dayas a license to never change.
They say, well, that's justlegalism.
Anytime you preach holiness,they say I'm spiritual but not
(14:52):
religious, while walking in zerobiblical submission.
In the end times, that mindsetis deadly.
When persecution rises, lukewarmChristians are going to bow to
the culture.
They will edit theirconvictions.
(15:12):
They'll compromise the gospel.
They'll take the mark, notbecause they hate God, but
because their love was neverreal in the first place.
Jesus said in Matthew 10, 22,.
All nations will hate youbecause you're my followers, but
everyone who endures to the endwill be saved.
(15:33):
That means only those whoendure, only those who stand
firm in truth will be saved.
Let me show you howlukewarmness is already
affecting the church today.
Let me show you howlukewarmness is already
affecting the church today.
Churches are hosting drag queenstory hours in the name of
(15:58):
inclusion.
Worship leaders are livingopenly in sin while leading
people in song.
Pastors avoid entire sectionsof scripture so they don't
offend tithers.
Christians support abortionunder the guise of women's
rights.
Believers post more aboutcelebrities and politics than
they do Jesus.
Parents let their kids dabblein demonic content and then
(16:19):
wonder why anxiety rules theirhomes.
That is not fire, that'scompromise.
And the scary part is many ofthem still believe they're right
with God.
Revelation 3.17 is playing outright in front of us.
You say I am rich, I haveeverything I want, I don't need
(16:40):
a thing, and you don't realizethat you are wretched and
miserable and poor and blind andnaked.
Lukewarmness in the end timesis not just a weakness, it's a
trap, a setup for delusion, awide open door for the
antichrist spirit to walk rightinto the sanctuary, because when
(17:04):
you're numb the fire, youinvite the counterfeit.
2 Thessalonians, 2, 10 and 11says he will use every kind of
evil deception to fool those ontheir way to destruction because
they refuse to love and acceptthe truth that would save them.
So God will cause them to begreatly deceived and they will
(17:25):
believe these lies.
If you're not burning withtruth, you are vulnerable to
deception.
There's no neutral ground.
The world is preparing forfalse peace.
Watch the news the church isbeing sifted, the remnant is
rising and lukewarm Christiansare sleepwalking straight into
(17:47):
judgment.
This, what I'm saying, is notfear-mongering.
This is Scripture.
Now is not the time to softenyour stance.
Now is not the time to coastthrough faith.
Now is not the time to flirtwith sin.
Now is the time to wake up andburn.
(18:09):
So what can you do?
How can you escape this life oflukewarmness and live full,
fully alive?
Lukewarmness doesn't diequietly.
It fights to stay.
It hides behind your routines,religion, pride, convincing you
(18:31):
that you're not that bad, whileyour fire quickly, quietly fades
.
But the good news is this youdon't have to stay lukewarm, you
don't have to stay numb andtired and cold or indifferent.
You can be set on fire again.
But I got to be clear.
You can't drift your way intoholiness.
(18:51):
You can't casually wander backinto intimacy with God.
This is war, people, and youneed to fight for your fire.
Here's how you break free fromlukewarmness and return to a
life that actually burns withthe presence of God.
You need to repent.
You need to repent honestly andimmediately.
(19:16):
Not just I'm sorry, but abreaking, a turning, a surrender
.
Tell God the truth.
God, I have grown cold, I'vebeen lazy.
I've toler grown cold.
I've been lazy.
I've tolerated sin.
I've made excuses.
I want to be changed Acts 3.19,.
Repent and then turn to God sothat your sins may be wiped out,
(19:40):
that times of refreshing maycome from the Lord.
Real repentance births arevival.
Fake repentance only createsmore religious activity.
Don't try to manage yourlukewarmness.
You need to kill it.
Return to your first love.
Do you remember what it feltlike when Jesus first captured
(20:03):
your heart?
When you prayed because youwanted him, not because you
needed something, when worshipwasn't a show but an overflow.
When you prayed because youwanted him, not because you
needed something, when worshipwasn't a show but an overflow.
Revelations chapter 2, 4 and 5says I have this complaint
against you.
You don't love me or each otherlike you did at first.
(20:24):
Look how far you've fallen.
Turn back to me and do theworks that you did at first.
Look how far you've fallen.
Turn back to me and do theworks that you did at first.
You don't need new theology.
You don't need a fresh love.
You need to fall in love withJesus again.
Start spending time with himlike he's a person, not a
program.
(20:45):
Wake up and talk to him Fast,something that dulls your spirit
.
Stop scrolling and open yourBible.
Open a journal and write outyour prayers.
Don't just study about him.
Sit with him.
You need to pursue holinesswith urgency.
(21:07):
Lukewarm Christians treat sinlike a pet On fire.
Christians treat sin like a petOn fire.
Christians treat sin likepoison.
If you want to be free, you'vegot to walk in the fear of the
Lord again.
That means setting boundaries.
That means canceling the show,deleting the app, walking away
(21:28):
from the relationship.
It means choosing purity overpleasure, obedience over
convenience.
2 Corinthians 7.1,.
Let us cleanse ourselves fromeverything that can defile our
body or spirit and let us worktoward complete holiness,
because we fear God.
(21:49):
If you want the fire of God,you can't keep feeding the flesh
.
If you're watching shows thatglorify sin, you're feeding the
lukewarm life.
If you're sleeping with someoneand you're not married to them,
your fire is being extinguished.
If you're constantly gossiping,harboring bitterness, living
(22:14):
with unrepented pride, you'renot surrendered, you're stagnant
.
Holiness is not legalism.
It's evidence that the fire isreal.
You need to saturate yourselfin Scripture every single day.
Lukewarm believers snack on theWord, the surrendered people.
(22:36):
They believe and they live onit.
If you're not in the Word ofGod, you'll never walk in the
will of God.
I have hidden your word in myheart that I might not sin
against you.
That's Psalm 119.11.
Don't just read verses when youneed encouragement.
Let the Bible correct you,convict you, cleanse you.
(22:58):
Write it down, memorize it,speak it out loud in your home,
make your phone background averse, put a sticky note on your
mirror, build your life aroundwhat God says, not how you feel,
and then surround yourself withpeople who refuse to settle.
(23:19):
If your closest friends arelukewarm, you will be too.
If your inner circle iscompromising, you're going to
start to normalize compromise.
Proverbs 13.20 says Walk withthe wise and become wise.
Associate with fools and get introuble.
You need people who will callyou out.
(23:42):
You need community thatconvicts you and builds you up.
If you're the only one in yourgroup chasing holiness.
You need a new group.
Join a small group that praysand fasts together.
Ask somebody to hold youaccountable for real spiritual
goals.
Send each other daily verses orprayer requests.
(24:03):
Talk about what God's doing inyour life more than you talk
about sports, sports or news orpolitics.
Fire spreads, but so doescoldness.
You need to let that fire fallagain.
Don't be content with justenough.
(24:24):
Cry out for more.
Get on your knees and ask theLord to ignite you again.
Ask for hunger, ask for tears,ask for joy, ask for conviction.
Tell God I want you more than Iwant comfort.
Set me on fire again.
Romans 12 11 says Never belacking in zeal, but keep your
(24:46):
spiritual fervor serving theLord.
Some days that means worshipingwhen you feel nothing.
Other days it means shuttingthe door and weeping before God
until the cold parts of yoursoul begin to melt.
Fire doesn't fall on casualhearts.
It falls on altars of sacrifice.
So build one.
(25:07):
Turn off the distractions, turndown the noise, turn back to
God and the fire will come.
You're never going to regretgoing all in for Jesus.
You're never going to look backand wish you had lived more
lukewarm.
You'll never stand before Godand think I should have settled
(25:30):
more.
But you might regret neverwaking up.
You might regret wasting yearshalf in.
You might regret knowing thetruth and still choosing apathy.
It's not about hype.
This is about holiness.
It's not an emotional feeling.
(25:51):
It's about becoming faithful.
Jesus is not coming back forcasual churchgoers.
He's returning for a brideburning with love, clothed in
purity and filled with oil.
So you need to ask yourself amI ready or am I just religious?
(26:12):
This is your moment Repent,return and reignite.
Let this be the day thatlukewarm dies and the fire
begins.
I'm going to wrap this up, butI need to say just a few more
(26:33):
things.
This is not a time to coast.
This is not a time to becomfortable.
This is not the time to blendin.
This is the time to burn.
The fire of God will not reston half-committed people.
He's not calling for churchmembers.
He's calling for soldiers.
(26:54):
He's not calling for churchmembers.
He's calling for soldiers.
He's not looking for thefamiliar crowd.
He's calling out a remnant.
So what are you?
Are you truly his or are youjust nearby?
Because lukewarmness doesn'tlook like rebellion.
It looks like apathy.
It looks like rebellion.
It looks like apathy.
It looks like excuses, it lookslike distraction and it leads
(27:21):
to death.
But today you can repent, youcan return, you can light the
fire again.
Let this be the day your soulwakes up.
Let this be the day thatnumbness ends.
Let this be the day that Jesusis no longer just knocking at
(27:41):
your door because you've alreadylet him in.
This was Renewed Mindsets andthis was your wake-up call, and
this was your wake-up call.
The executive producer ofRenewed Mindsets is Christy
McCurry.
That's all for today, but I'llbe back with more unfiltered
(28:04):
biblical truth and undeniableprophecy.
The time to wake up is now.
If today's episode challengedyou, don't keep it to yourself.
Tell someone.
Please Text them a link.
Share the truth while there'sstill time.
Visit renewedmindsetscom tostay connected and to listen to
past episodes and check out ourmerch at renewedmindsetsstore.
(28:28):
Jesus is coming soon.
Stay watchful, stay holy, stayrenewed Until next week.
I'm Rick.
Be an encourager, not adiscourager.
I love you.
(28:50):
See ya?
The intro and outro music forthe Renewed Mindsets podcast is
Are you Ready?
By Floodgate From the album Areyou Ready, copyright 2002,
offbeat Ministries Incorporated.
(29:12):
Floodgate can be found on AppleMusic and iTunes.
Music used with permission.
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