Last Sunday at New Life North Metro, Ps Ets shared a message that stayed in my heart long after the service ended. It was about Jesus’ warning to the church not to become lukewarm, not to lose our first love, and not to live a life that looks faithful on the outside but lacks true devotion inside.

As I reflected quietly afterward, I realized that this message was not only meant for churches in general. It was meant for leaders, for families, for mothers, for professionals, and most personally for me.

Because lukewarmness does not happen suddenly. It happens slowly, quietly, almost unnoticed, in the ordinary rhythms of life.

In Revelation 3:14-22, Jesus spoke to the church of Laodicea with words that are both loving and sobering:

“And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: 
“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. 
Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— 
I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. 
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. 
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 
To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” ’ ”

This passage is difficult to read, yet it is full of mercy. Because lukewarm does not mean unbelieving. It means knowing Jesus but no longer living with passion, obedience, or deep dependence on Him.

It is when we continue to serve but slowly stop praying.

When we lead people but lose compassion.

When we succeed outwardly but forget our need for God inwardly.

Jesus said He wished we were either hot or cold, because cold hearts can still be awakened. But lukewarm hearts think they are fine. They no longer feel their need for Him, and that is the dangerous place.

How Lukewarmness Begins

The pastor reminded us that lukewarmness often begins with hidden idolatry. Not always statues or obvious sins, but small altars that quietly take God’s place in our hearts.

In 1 Kings 14, the people of Judah built high places and idols. They replaced what was pure and precious with something that only looked impressive on the outside.

Gold, in Scripture, often symbolizes what is refined by God. Bronze, on the other hand, needs constant polishing just to appear shiny. Sometimes in life we polish appearances; our reputation, our achievements, our routines—while hiding pride, fear, compromise, or self-reliance inside. We can be busy in ministry but empty in spirit, respected in career but distant from God, confident in our opinions but weak in prayer.

This is how lukewarmness begins quietly.

Leadership Lessons from the Lukewarm Church

As I reflected on this message, I realized how deeply it applies to leadership. Because leaders, especially those who are responsible and hardworking, can become lukewarm without noticing.

1. Success Can Hide Lukewarmness

In leadership, we often measure success by results, efficiency, and recognition. Yet Jesus measures the condition of the heart.

A leader can have a full calendar but an empty prayer life.

A leader can be admired publicly but feel distant from God privately.

The church of Laodicea believed they were rich and needed nothing. That illusion of self-sufficiency is dangerous.

When leaders feel capable enough, we stop asking God for help. True leadership requires humility that continually seeks Him.

2. Lukewarm Leaders Lose Spiritual Authority

Our idols today rarely look like statues. They often look respectable. They can be career success, approval from people, fear of failure, control over outcomes, or pride in our achievements. These become hidden altars that slowly replace God.

As leaders, we must regularly ask ourselves:

What am I trusting more than God?

What do I fear losing the most?

Our answers often reveal our idols.

4. True Leaders Remove Altars Like Josiah

King Josiah in 2 Chronicles 34 chose to remove idols and restore true worship. He did not ignore sin to keep peace. He understood that real love sometimes requires correction.

In leadership, loving people means guiding them toward truth, even when it is uncomfortable. It means choosing integrity over popularity and faithfulness over convenience.

Love that avoids truth is not real love.

5. Leadership Begins with Repentance

Jesus said He rebukes those He loves. That truth comforts me.

When God corrects us, it is not rejection; it is invitation.

Every revival begins when one heart says, “Lord, start with me.”

Before leading others, we must allow God to refine us.

My Personal Reflection

As I listened to the message, I examined my own heart.

As a leader, a wife, and a mom to Adi, it is easy to become busy doing good things and forget to remain close to Jesus.

I thought about my journey; from being very results-driven early in my career to learning emotional intelligence, humility, and dependence on God. Even now, I can become focused on plans, responsibilities, and goals, while my heart quietly drifts. God reminded me gently that He does not only want my service. He wants my love.

Without Him, even excellent leadership can become empty.

Questions I Wrote in My Journal

• Where have I become comfortable instead of surrendered?
• What “bronze” in my life needs to be replaced with gold?
• Am I leading people closer to God, or only closer to results?
• When was the last time I prayed sincerely for the people I lead?

These questions help guard my heart from becoming lukewarm.

The most beautiful part of Jesus’ message is His invitation:

Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. - Revelation 3:20

Even when we drift, Jesus still calls us back. Not with condemnation, but with love.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful to cleanse us. He can remove every hidden idol, every compromise, every bronze in our lives, and refine us like gold.

Revival does not begin in crowds.

It begins in one heart saying yes to God again.

A Prayer for Hearts on Fire

Lord Jesus,

I lift up every reader who comes across these words today.

You know their hearts, their struggles, their quiet questions, and their hidden burdens.

If any of us have grown lukewarm; comfortable in routine but distant in love.. gently awaken us again.

Teach us to love You not only with words, but with surrendered hearts, obedient lives, and humble spirits.

Where there is pride, replace it with repentance.

Where there is distraction, restore holy focus.

Where there is fear, give courage.

Where there is dryness, pour out Your living water.

Lord, refine us like gold in the fire.

Remove the idols we have unknowingly built; our worries, ambitions, comforts, or approval of people and bring us back to first love with You.

For every wife reading this, help her love her husband with grace and wisdom.

For every husband, strengthen him to lead with humility and kindness.

For every parent, fill their home with patience and joy.

For every leader, let them serve with integrity and courage.

May we not be lukewarm in our faith, but alive in Your Spirit, bold in truth, gentle in love, and faithful in everyday obedience.

Jesus, we open the door of our hearts to You again.

Come in. Stay. Lead us.

Make our lives a light that points back to You.

In Jesus name we pray,

Amen.

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With sincere thanks to Ps Ets and Ps Mara and our home church, New Life North Metro, for faithfully sharing God’s truth that continues to grow our faith and family.

Gratefully in Christ,

Claude, Allen, and Adi