A Spiritual Thermostat
Are you hot, cold, or lukewarm?
Temperature affects a myriad of processes, both environmentally and within the sensory integrations of our nervous systems. It is also used as a descriptor, such as “all the way, no way, or the limbo” (the in-between). Similar to the game “hot and cold,” where you have to find the person or thing that is hidden, you test based on your environment and the person you’re playing with, guided by whether you’re close (hot), not close (cold), or maybe a so-so (warm). So, is it time to play the game hot or cold with our God? When’s the last time you played, or have you played it at all?
Scientific properties of hot, cold, and lukewarm
-Hot (high kinetic energy, faster molecular motion, less dense, molecules spread out, ability to rise).
-Cold (low kinetic energy, slower molecular motion, more dense molecules close and compact, ability to sink)
-Lukewarm (moderate energy, moderate density, close/most comfortable to body temperature)
Interpretations
-Hot (passionate, enthusiasm and fervor, intensity and urgency, warm-blooded, alive, lively and stimulating).
-Cold (detached, empty, cold-hearted/carless, dead, hate).
-Lukewarm (moderate, in-between, limbo, gray-area transition, inaction, stagnancy, indifferent, apathy, and comforting).
God’s view on faith in the spectrum of temperature
– Hot
(This looks like spiritual readiness, sharpness, zeal, passion, boldness, refinement, dying to your flesh daily, surrenderance, devotion, daily commitment to the Lord, expectancy, and unwavering faith).
Examples can be seen in the Bible of being on fire for the Lord in the early church of Pentecost and the Apostles (Acts 2, 4, 7, 12, 16), Elijah’s ascension (2 Kings), Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (Daniel 3), and Daniel in the lion’s den (Daniel 6), Esther (Esther 4), Ezekiel (Ezekial 37) etc.
– Cold
(This looks like different belief systems, or no belief systems, disconnected, and rejects all spiritually, a biblical fool).
Examples in the Bible are Canaanites worshipping Baal, Asherah, and El (Judges, 1&2 Kings, and 2 Chronicles), Philistines worshipping Dagon (1 Samuel 5), Moabites & Ammonites worshipping Chemosh and Molech (1 Kings 11 & 2 Kings 23), Sidonians worshipping Astarte and Baal (Judges 2, Judges 10, and 1 Kings 11), Syrians worshipping Hadad-rimmon (2 Kings 5), Assyrians & Babylonians worshipping Marduk, Nebo, and Ishtar. (2 Kings 17, Isaiah 46, Jeremiah 7,44) and Egyptians worshipping Pharaoh Ra, Hathor, Isis, etc. (Exodus 7-24, Numbers 11, Jeremiah 26, Ezekiel 20).
– Lukewarm
(This manifests as spiritual apathy, spiritual blindness, continual disobedience, using religion to justify actions, knowing of God, knowing of Scripture, calling oneself Christian, but not practicing faith, living two contradictory lifestyles (serving two masters), unbelief, doubt, double-mindedness, and is self-reliant and self-sufficient).
Examples in the bible are the Israelites (Judges, 2 Kings), the Samaritans (2 Kings 17), who adopted false idols from their ancestors, Solomon’s apostasy (1 Kings, Chapter 11), the Laodicean church (Rev 3), and the Pharisees and Sadducees (Matthew 16, 17, Luke 11, Mark 7 & John 9).
The chapters provided are for you to see and test the spirit yourself, be in the word, ask for wisdom, and do your own research!
Some aspects of faith are personal, and through experiences, everyone has a different encounter and relationship with the Lord’s diverse and steadfast character. God is a personal God; He sent Jesus as His Spirit in flesh so that we can connect and have a relational spiritual experience with Him. He wants to know you, and he always loves you despite where you stand temperaturally but some things in faith and life itself are just black and white. Sometimes it’s just that simple. The Lord doesnt want us to make it more complicated than it has to be. For example, aside from the clear ten commandments, there are seven things that God finds detestable. That is not to be compromised or justified (Proverbs 6:16-19). If any of these things are compromised, it creates nuances that open doors for sin. Therefore, so is lukewarmness. Lukewarm faith is a sin; not only is it a sin, but it also blocks access to God’s kingdom, which he freely gives in our hunger, willingness for the spirit of truth and wisdom, sanctification, and freedom! God rather you be cold than break his heart by knowing better but not doing better. God judges His people first before He judges others who have no knowledge or access to Him. (1 Peter 4:17, Luke 12:48, James 3:1). If it is in your control to reflect on your life, on your behavior, change your ways, and correct yourself. Do so before God does it for you, and it won’t be pretty when he does, even if he loves you. The Lord corrects the one he loves. Don’t wait until the fire of judgment and take advantage now. If you are living and breathing, the time is now, as we are living on borrowed time! Selah. May the Lord bless the hearer and reader of this word, His word, in Jesus name, Amen.
Revelation 3: 15-16, 19-22
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth”.
“Those whom I love, I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 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. 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.”