Hot or Cold: The Lukewarm Christian and the Fire of God

By Karim Maguid

Author’s Note: Why I Wrote This Book

My name is Karim Maguid. I’m a husband, father, and leader in my church, and like many of you, I once thought being “a good person” and going to church sometimes was enough. But as I’ve grown in Christ, I’ve come to realize that God doesn’t want part of me—He wants all of me. The truth is, lukewarm Christianity is one of the biggest problems facing the church today. Jesus Himself said He would rather us be hot or cold than lukewarm.

This book is for every believer who’s ever wrestled with spiritual complacency, for those who’ve been in church but not fully in Christ, and for those who want to reignite their fire for God and live fully surrendered.

Chapter 1: The Dangers of Lukewarm Faith

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
—Revelation 3:15-16 (NKJV)

Whew. Jesus did not hold back with this one.

He said it plain: if you’re lukewarm, He’d rather spit you out. Not nudge you. Not gently correct you. Spit. Out. Like bad milk.

And who was He talking to? Not some pagan group in the middle of nowhere. He was talking to church folks. The church in Laodicea was doing well by the world’s standards—money, reputation, all the stuff we think means “blessed.” But spiritually? They were room temperature at best. Jesus looked past their offerings and programs and saw what really mattered—their hearts—and He wasn’t impressed.

What Does ‘Lukewarm’ Even Mean?

Being lukewarm isn’t about having a rough day or missing a morning devotional. It’s when your heart has settled into neutral. You’re not rejecting God, but you’re definitely not chasing after Him either. You’re just… there.

It’s praying when you’re in trouble but forgetting God when things are smooth. It’s going to church but zoning out during the sermon. It’s having a Bible app on your phone, but the only time you open it is when you accidentally tap it while scrolling for memes.

Jesus called it out:

“These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.”
—Matthew 15:8 (NIV)

God’s not after fake love. He doesn’t want fans—He wants followers.

Why Lukewarm is More Dangerous Than Cold

You’d think being lukewarm would be better than being cold, right? Like, surely God would prefer some faith over none. But nope. Jesus said He’d rather you be cold than lukewarm. Why?

Because cold people know they’re far from God. But lukewarm folks? They think they’re fine.

“You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.”
—Revelation 3:17 (NIV)

Lukewarm faith is dangerous because it’s comfortable. And comfort kills fire. It lulls you to sleep spiritually while convincing you you’re still awake.

It’s like spiritual sleepwalking. You’ve got the outfit. You know the lingo. You might even serve in ministry. But the passion? The conviction? The hunger? Gone.

“You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.”
—James 2:19 (NIV)

If demons believe in God and tremble, and we believe but barely blink… we might have a problem.

Signs You Might Be Lukewarm (No Judgment… Just Honesty)

Let’s keep it real. Here are a few red flags that might mean you’ve gone lukewarm:

You only pray when something’s wrong.
You go to church to feel better, not to grow.
You can quote TikToks faster than scripture.
You think reading a verse a day keeps the devil away.
You say “God knows my heart” to justify things He never approved.
Your playlist is 90% secular and 10% “Kirk Franklin on Sunday.”

Listen, we’ve all been there. This isn’t about shaming—it’s about waking up. Jesus is knocking, and He wants us fully in—not halfway.

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
—Revelation 3:19 (NIV)

Jesus isn’t being harsh to hurt you. He’s trying to heal you. He’s calling you out because He loves you too much to let you sit in spiritual autopilot.

It’s Not Too Late to Reignite the Fire

If any part of this hit home, here’s the good news: God wants you back. He’s not rolling His eyes. He’s not done with you. He’s saying, “Come close again. Let’s get that fire going.”

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”
—James 4:8 (NKJV)

Chapter 2: Hot — Living on Fire for God

“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road, and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
—Luke 24:32 (NKJV)

Ever met someone who’s just lit for Jesus? I’m talking full of joy, always talking about the Lord, praying like they’re on the phone with God Himself, and somehow they’re always humming worship songs while doing dishes?

That’s someone who’s hot in the Spirit. And no, not in the Instagram way—we’re talking spiritually hot. Fire-for-God hot.

It’s not hype. It’s hunger.

What Does It Mean to Be “Hot” for God?

Being “hot” doesn’t mean you’re loud or dramatic or running laps around the church every Sunday (though hey, if that’s you—run on, brother). It means you’re alive in Christ. Your heart beats for the things of God. You care. You love deeply. You actually want to do His will, not just avoid going to hell.

Jesus put it this way:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”
—Matthew 22:37 (NIV)

Hot means all in. Not perfect. Not flawless. But faithful. You fall, but you get back up and keep walking with Him.

It’s waking up and talking to God before checking Facebook. It’s worshiping even when you don’t feel like it. It’s putting your faith into action because your heart is genuinely on fire for Him.

Real Ones Who Burned for God

Let’s take a look at a few spiritual fire-starters in the Bible:

1. David — He wasn’t just a warrior or king—he was a worshipper. He wrote love songs to God in caves while hiding from people trying to kill him!

“As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for You, my God.”
—Psalm 42:1 (NIV)

2. Jeremiah — Tried to stay quiet, but God’s Word was burning in him like hot coals on his ribs.

“But His word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not.”
—Jeremiah 20:9 (NKJV)

3. Paul — Went from hunting Christians to helping them. His whole life was flipped upside down, and he was never the same.

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”
—Philippians 1:21 (NIV)

These folks didn’t just believe in God—they belonged to Him. Fully.

How to Get (and Stay) on Fire

Let’s get practical. Here are five ways to turn up the spiritual heat in your walk with God:

1. Make Time for God—On Purpose

We make time for everything else—TV, YouTube, snacks we don’t need—so why not set time aside for the One who gave us life? Spend time in the Word. Pray like He’s actually listening (because He is). Worship like nobody’s watching.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
—James 4:8 (NKJV)

2. Stop Microwave Christianity

This ain’t microwavable fast food. You can’t throw your Bible in for 30 seconds and expect revival. Let the Word marinate. Sit with it. Let it read you.

“Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
—Psalm 1:1–2 (NIV)

3. Plug into the Right People

You need fire-starters in your life, not fire-fighters. If your squad makes fun of your faith or pressures you to blend in, they’re not helping you burn—they’re dousing your flame.

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
—Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)

4. Obey Even When It’s Uncomfortable

The more you obey, the more God trusts you with. The more you ignore Him, the colder your heart can grow.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”
—John 14:15 (NKJV)

5. Serve with Joy

Nothing fuels the fire like giving, serving, and loving others like Jesus. Get in the game—there’s too much Kingdom work to be done for you to be on the bench.

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
—Romans 12:11 (NIV)

Keep the Flame Burning

Paul reminded Timothy to stir up the gift inside him. Because even the best fire dies out if you stop feeding it.

“Fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…”
—2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)

Don’t let comfort or compromise dim your passion. Stay hot. Stay hungry. Stay close to the Source.

Chapter 3: Cold — The Honesty of Unbelief

“I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot.”
—Revelation 3:15 (NKJV)

Wait a minute—did Jesus really say He’d rather us be cold than lukewarm? Yep. And no, He wasn’t having a bad day when He said it.

See, most of us assume that “cold” is the worst place to be. We picture atheists, rebels, people who want nothing to do with God. But here’s the twist: being cold isn’t the same as being fake. And fake is far more dangerous.

What Does “Cold” Really Mean?

To be “cold” spiritually means you’re not walking with God. You’re disconnected. You might not believe, or maybe you just stopped caring. But the key difference? People who are cold usually know they’re cold. They’re not pretending.

Jesus isn’t praising coldness—but He’s pointing out that it’s at least honest. Cold folks are easier to reach because they know they’re lost. Lukewarm folks? They’re lost but think they’re saved. And that’s a dangerous place to be.

“There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
—Proverbs 14:12 (ESV)

At least when you’re cold, you’re not sipping spiritual Kool-Aid thinking everything’s fine while your soul is asleep.

Cold Doesn’t Mean Hopeless

Let’s be real. We all go through cold seasons. Times when God feels distant. Times when we’re tired, distracted, or just numb. You can know the truth and still feel like your heart is frozen.

But cold isn’t final. The beautiful thing about our God? He’s not afraid of cold people. He specializes in warming up hearts.

“Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…”
—Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

Jesus didn’t come to call the “already on fire.” He came to light cold hearts on fire again.

“It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
—Luke 5:31–32 (NIV)

From Ice Cold to Holy Ghost Fire

You ever heard a testimony from someone who was way out there, and now they’re preaching, praying, and prophesying like it’s second nature? That’s what God does with cold hearts. He flips the whole script.

Peter denied Jesus three times—cold move. But later? He preached and 3,000 people got saved in one day.
Paul was hunting Christians—ice cold. Then Jesus lit him up on the road to Damascus and turned him into one of the greatest apostles of all time.

The colder the heart, the more dramatic the fire when God gets ahold of it.

“Is not My word like fire,” declares the Lord, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?”
—Jeremiah 23:29 (NIV)

If you’re cold, don’t run from God—run to Him. He’s not holding a grudge. He’s holding out grace.

What to Do If You’re Feeling Cold

Let’s say you read this chapter and think, “Yup, that’s me.” First of all—thank you for your honesty. That alone is powerful. Cold hearts can still be honest hearts. And here’s what you can do:

1. Talk to God—Even If It Feels Awkward

Tell Him you’re cold. Tell Him you feel disconnected. God respects raw more than rehearsed.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
—Psalm 34:18 (ESV)

2. Get Around the Fire

Find people who are burning for God. Cold wood catches fire when it gets close to burning logs.

3. Get Back into the Word

Even if it feels dry at first, keep reading. God will speak through it. The same way the sun eventually thaws ice, the Word will soften your heart again.

4. Ask for the Fire

Straight up—ask the Holy Spirit to light you up again. He’s not stingy.

“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
—Matthew 7:7 (NIV)

Bottom line? Cold isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of something if you let God in.

He can take the coldest, hardest heart and turn it into a blazing furnace for His glory.

Chapter 4: Comfortable Christianity — When Church Becomes Casual

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”
—Ephesians 5:14 (NIV)

You ever been so comfortable that you forgot you were supposed to be doing something?

Like when you sit on the couch just to “rest your eyes for a second” and wake up two hours later like, “What year is it?” That’s how spiritual comfort works. You don’t mean to drift—you just slowly stop paying attention.

And before you know it, you’re living a version of Christianity that’s more about convenience than commitment.

What Is Comfortable Christianity?

Comfortable Christianity is when faith becomes a routine instead of a relationship.

It’s going to church, singing the songs, and leaving the same way you came in—unchanged. It’s praying over your food but not over your future. It’s being just spiritual enough to feel good, but not so deep that it costs you anything.

Jesus said:

“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”
—Luke 9:23 (ESV)

That’s not exactly “comfy,” is it?

Following Christ was never meant to be a spiritual spa day. It’s a call to live boldly, love deeply, and sometimes suffer for the sake of the Gospel. It’s not always easy—but it’s always worth it.

How Comfort Creeps In

It usually happens subtly. Here’s how it shows up:

Selective Obedience: “I’ll obey God in this area… but I’m keeping this other thing for myself.”
Minimal Effort: Just enough Jesus to feel safe, but not enough to feel stretched.
Consumer Mindset: Church becomes about what you get, not how you serve.
Fear of Offending: You water down your faith to keep the peace instead of standing in truth.

Paul warned about this:

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.”
—2 Timothy 4:3 (NIV)

That verse hits hard, doesn’t it?

Comfort has become a god in our culture. And when we chase comfort more than we chase Christ, we end up lukewarm without even realizing it.

Why Comfort Isn’t the Goal

You were never called to be comfortable. You were called to be fruitful. And fruit doesn’t grow in comfort—it grows through pressure, pruning, and purpose.

Jesus didn’t save us so we could chill until heaven. He gave us work to do:

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.”
—2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)

An ambassador doesn’t just sit around watching Netflix all day (though that would be a great job title). An ambassador represents. Everywhere. All the time. And that’s who we are for the Kingdom.

How to Break Out of the Comfort Zone

1. Get Honest with God

Don’t fake it—He already knows. Say, “Lord, I’ve gotten comfortable. Wake me up. Shake me up if You need to.”

“Search me, God, and know my heart… see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
—Psalm 139:23–24 (NIV)

2. Say Yes to the Stretch

If it feels a little scary but God is leading it, say yes. Growth happens on the other side of comfort.

3. Reignite the Mission

Remember what you were saved for. Not just from—for. You’ve got a calling, a purpose, and people who need your testimony.

“Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.”
—Matthew 5:16 (NIV)

4. Start Serving Again

Comfortable Christians sit. On-fire Christians serve. Get in motion and watch your fire come back.

Let’s be real: Comfort feels good. But calling feels better. Don’t settle for a seat when you were made for a mission. Shake off the comfort. Stir up the fire.

Chapter 5: Ignite the Flame — Coming Back to Life

“For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…”
—2 Timothy 1:6 (NIV)

Ever tried to light a fire that just wouldn’t catch? You’ve got dry wood, a lighter, maybe even one of those fancy fire-starter logs, but still—nothing. It’s frustrating, right?

That’s what it feels like when your faith has gone cold and you’re trying to get that spark back.

Good news? God is the best fire-starter in the universe. And the flame He lights doesn’t just warm you—it sets your whole life ablaze.

God Is Not Done With You

Let’s start with this truth: No matter how cold, dry, or distant you feel, God has not given up on you.

If you’re still breathing, you’re still called.

“The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
—Romans 11:29 (ESV)

You might’ve drifted. Gotten distracted. Lost the passion. But guess what? God’s not pacing around Heaven mad at you—He’s standing at the door, waiting with open arms and a fresh flame.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in…”
—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

How to Reignite Your Fire for God

Here are some real steps to get your spiritual spark back—no fluff, no formulas. Just fire.

1. Start Where You Are

You don’t have to “get right” first. Start right where you are. Cold? Lukewarm? Overwhelmed? Tell God. Be honest.

“The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth.”
—Psalm 145:18 (NIV)

No fancy words needed. Just a real cry: “Lord, I need You.”

2. Remember Your First Love

Think back to when you first felt that fire. When you couldn’t stop talking about Jesus. When you read the Bible and everything felt new. That fire isn’t gone—it’s just buried.

“Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first.”
—Revelation 2:5 (NIV)

Go back. Not in shame—but in hunger.

3. Feed the Flame

Fires don’t stay lit on accident. You gotta feed it.

Spend time in the Word—even when it feels dry.
Play worship music when you’re driving, cleaning, or walking.
Pray like you’re talking to your Father, not performing a speech.
Listen to sermons or podcasts that stir your spirit.
Get around believers who challenge you and check you.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
—Matthew 5:6 (NKJV)

Hungry hearts are flammable hearts.

4. Repent Without Fear

If sin cooled your fire, don’t hide—confess. Not to be shamed, but to be set free.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us…and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
—1 John 1:9 (NIV)

God doesn’t hold grudges—He breaks chains.

5. Do the Work, Even If You Don’t Feel the Flame Yet

Sometimes the flame comes after the obedience. Show up anyway. Read anyway. Worship anyway. That’s faith. And God honors it.

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”
—James 4:8 (NKJV)

You move first. He moves bigger.

You’re Not Too Far Gone

If you’ve ever thought, “It’s too late for me,” let me lovingly say: that’s a lie straight from the pit. Moses was 80 when he got started. Paul was a Christian-killer. Peter denied Jesus to His face—and Jesus still used him to launch the church.

God doesn’t need perfect people. He wants available ones.

So go ahead and say yes again. Strike the match. Fan the flame. Watch what happens when you give Him everything.

Chapter 6: The Warning and the Promise

“So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth.”
—Revelation 3:16 (NKJV)

Okay—let’s be honest. This verse still hits like a slap to the soul.

Jesus wasn’t throwing shade. He was giving a warning, and warnings in the Bible are actually acts of mercy. God loves us enough to say, “Hey… don’t go that way. It ends bad.”

Lukewarm Christianity isn’t neutral—it’s dangerous. Because when we treat faith like a hobby, we stop growing. We settle. We compromise. And slowly, we slide away from the very God who saved us.

But here’s the beauty of Jesus: right after the warning comes the invitation.

“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
—Revelation 3:19 (NIV)

In other words, “I’m not done with you. I’m just trying to get your attention.”

The Warning: What Happens If We Stay Lukewarm

Let’s not sugarcoat it. Jesus said He’d spit us out—not because He doesn’t love us, but because lukewarm faith misrepresents Him.

When we claim to follow Christ but live like we don’t, the world sees a watered-down version of the Gospel. We become spiritually ineffective. And worse, we risk being separated from Him for eternity.

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of My Father.”
—Matthew 7:21 (NIV)

Oof. That’s not a “maybe.” That’s a wake-up call.

Jesus is serious about this because He paid too high a price for us to live with one foot in and one foot out. He didn’t die for a casual relationship. He died for a covenant.

The Promise: What Happens When We Go All In

Now here’s the good part. Jesus doesn’t just warn us—He woos us.

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with Me.”
—Revelation 3:20 (NIV)

He’s not kicking the door down. He’s knocking. Gentle. Patient. Waiting for us to say, “Come in, Lord.”

And when you let Him in?

You get peace that makes no sense.
Joy that doesn’t depend on circumstances.
Power to live boldly.
A new identity.
Eternal life.

“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with Me on My throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with My Father on His throne.”
—Revelation 3:21 (NIV)

That’s wild. We don’t just get saved—we get seated with the King.

So… What Now?

Now it’s your turn.

Not to be perfect. But to be passionate. To burn again. To pray again. To go deeper. To say:

“Lord, I don’t want to be lukewarm. Light me up.”

Whether you’re hot, cold, or somewhere in between, God’s arms are open. The warning is real—but so is the reward.

You were made for fire.
You were made for more.
And the world needs the flame God’s placed in you.

So go ahead—burn bright.

The End. But really… the beginning.