14 “To the angel (divine messenger) of the church in Laodicea write:
“These are the words of the Amen, the trusted and faithful and true Witness, the [f]Beginning and Origin of God’s creation:
15 ‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic); I wish that you were cold or hot. 16 So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth [rejecting you with disgust].
The term lukewarm Christian is often used to describe the believer who is passive in their commitment to Christ. While that’s true, when we read Revelation 3 about the church in Laodicea, there’s even more depth to it. Jesus says He would rather us be hot or cold, but if we are lukewarm, He will vomit us out of His mouth. When someone vomits, it’s usually because something doesn’t agree with them. That tells me there’s nothing redeeming about being “lukewarm.” If this condition is that serious, we need to understand what Jesus is really saying.
Logos is the written Word of God, the Bible. We call it logos because it’s the written Word inspired by the Holy Spirit. Rhema, on the other hand, is when the Holy Spirit highlights a specific word or truth to you from Scripture. This morning, I received a rhema word during my men’s group.
We meet every Friday at 6:30 a.m. (I know, that’s early.) One man asked, “What does lukewarm really mean?” We turned to Revelation 3:14–16 in the Amplified Bible, which says, “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold (invigorating, refreshing) nor hot (healing, therapeutic)… So because you are lukewarm (spiritually useless), and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
The Holy Spirit reminded me of how doctors use heat or ice to bring healing, hot pads to increase blood flow or ice to reduce swelling. But no one uses something lukewarm for healing. When the hot tub turns lukewarm, you know something’s wrong.
That hit me. Jesus wasn’t just talking about passion, He was talking about usefulness. A hot or cold believer brings healing and refreshment, but a lukewarm one is spiritually useless. The Lord showed me that many churches today have fallen into this condition, void of the Holy Spirit’s power, ignoring the gifts of tongues, prophecy, and healing we read about in Acts.
The church in Laodicea thought their wealth proved their spirituality, but it actually blinded them. From the outside, everything looked good, big congregation, strong programs, but they had rejected the power of the Holy Spirit.
If you’re asking yourself whether you’re lukewarm, that’s already a good sign. You’re waking up. The gifts of the Spirit aren’t meant to entertain us but to draw us closer to Jesus. Every miracle, every healing, every answered prayer should lead us deeper into relationship with Him.
The question is: are you a believer, or a disciple? Believers know about Jesus. Disciples walk with Him in power. In Acts, those filled with the Holy Spirit turned the world upside down. Jesus never meant for us to live the Christian life without that same power.
When many turned away from Jesus in John 6 after He said, “Eat My flesh and drink My blood,” it was because they didn’t understand His words spiritually. Without the Holy Spirit, logos stays as text, but with the Holy Spirit, it becomes rhema, alive and transforming.
So let’s not settle for a lukewarm faith. Let’s embrace all that God has given us and live fully alive in His Spirit.
Prayer:
Father, I pray that we never settle into a lukewarm life. Baptize us in Your Holy Spirit, fill us with Your gifts, and let signs and wonders follow us wherever we go. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Let It Go 
Leave a comment