The most striking example of the biblical concept of lukewarmness is seen in Revelation, where Jesus cautions the church in Laodicea about being neither hot nor cool. Being lukewarm is a state of apathy that offends the Lord; it is a lack of fervor, desire, and genuine love for God. Scripture says that God wants His people to love and devote themselves fully, not to glorify Him or have faith that vacillates between devotion and complacency.
Being lukewarm can lead to a false sense of security, which is dangerous. Although they may seem religious on the outside, a lukewarm believer lacks the fervor of true faith on the inside. Such spiritual indifference can make it difficult to pray, erode obedience, and keep believers from realizing all that God has promised. Instead of settling for a superficial or cozy faith, God calls His people throughout the Bible to fervency—to serve Him with all their heart, soul, and strength.
Studying lukewarmness-related Bible scriptures serves as a wake-up call to consider our spiritual state. These verses exhort us to return to our love for God, turn from our apathy, and seek an active, vibrant faith that is based on love for Christ. They serve as a reminder that God rewards sincere seekers and cautions against the perils of complacency. We might rekindle our devotion and connect our hearts with God’s demand for complete discipleship by giving these passages some thought.
40 Powerful Bible Verses About Lukewarm (2025)
1. Revelation 3:15-16
“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.”
This stern warning to the church in Laodicea illustrates God’s deep concern for spiritual complacency. Being lukewarm—half-hearted or indifferent in faith—evokes divine displeasure. Jesus calls for a committed, wholehearted relationship with Him, emphasizing that spiritual neutrality is not acceptable. This verse challenges believers to examine their devotion and rekindle their passion for God, moving from indifference to fervent faith.
2. Revelation 3:19
“Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.”
Here, Christ expresses that His correction is an act of love, not condemnation. Lukewarmness invites divine discipline, highlighting the need for earnestness in faith. Repentance is presented as the remedy for spiritual apathy, encouraging believers to awaken their hearts, renew their commitment, and pursue a vibrant relationship with God. This verse reminds us that God’s rebuke is meant to restore, refine, and redirect us toward wholehearted devotion.
3. Matthew 6:24
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other.”
Jesus teaches that divided loyalties foster lukewarm faith. Attempting to serve both God and worldly desires leads to spiritual mediocrity. True discipleship requires single-minded devotion, prioritizing God above all else. This verse calls believers to evaluate their commitments, letting go of distractions that dilute their passion and wholeheartedly pursuing God’s kingdom with undivided hearts.
4. James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
Double-mindedness—an internal wavering between God and worldly influences—is a form of spiritual lukewarmness. James urges believers to pursue purity, intentionality, and closeness with God. Drawing near requires deliberate effort and a sincere heart. This verse highlights that God’s presence is available to those who actively seek Him with undivided devotion, emphasizing the importance of wholehearted commitment.
5. Romans 12:11
“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”
Paul exhorts Christians to avoid complacency and maintain a passionate, energetic faith. Lukewarmness stifles spiritual growth and diminishes effective service. This verse underscores the importance of zeal—enthusiastic, consistent, and committed devotion to God’s work. It reminds believers that spiritual fervor fuels meaningful impact, strengthening both personal faith and the broader mission of the Church.
6. 2 Timothy 3:5
“Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.”
Paul warns against a superficial faith that lacks transformative power—essentially, a lukewarm approach to God. Individuals may outwardly appear religious, attending services or following rituals, yet their hearts remain distant from God’s influence. This verse emphasizes the danger of empty religiosity and urges believers to pursue genuine spiritual growth that manifests in actions, character, and steadfast devotion rather than mere appearances.
7. Isaiah 29:13
“The Lord says: ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught.’”
Here, God exposes the disconnect between outward expressions of faith and inner devotion. Lukewarm worship—performing religious acts without heartfelt engagement—fails to honor God. True devotion requires sincerity and a willing heart. This verse challenges believers to align their inner motives with their outward practices, cultivating worship that is vibrant, genuine, and spiritually alive.
8. Matthew 22:37
“Jesus replied: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’”
Lukewarmness often stems from divided attention or half-hearted love for God. Jesus calls for complete devotion—emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually. This verse serves as a benchmark for wholehearted faith, urging believers to examine areas of apathy or distraction and fully commit themselves to loving God in every aspect of life.
9. Revelation 2:4
“Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.”
Spiritual fervor can wane over time, leading to lukewarm faith. Jesus warns the church of Ephesus that abandoning their initial love for Him diminishes their vitality. Rekindling that first love—marked by passion, dedication, and zeal—is essential for spiritual renewal. This verse reminds believers that maintaining the fire of devotion requires intentionality and a continual return to God’s presence.
10. Proverbs 24:30-34
“I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.”
This proverb highlights the practical consequences of lukewarmness in both spiritual and personal life. Just as neglect leads to physical decay, lukewarmness in faith leads to spiritual stagnation and vulnerability. Consistent diligence, intentional effort, and active engagement in God’s work prevent both spiritual and personal decline. The lesson is clear: passivity or indifference yields loss and missed blessings.
11. Luke 9:62
“Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.’”
Lukewarmness can manifest as half-hearted commitment or wavering faith. Jesus emphasizes that true discipleship requires focus, determination, and steadfastness. Looking back—doubting, lingering on past comforts, or fearing sacrifice—hinders spiritual growth. This verse challenges believers to move forward with resolve, leaving lukewarm attitudes behind and pursuing God’s calling with undivided attention.
12. 1 Corinthians 10:12
“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall!”
Complacency is a hallmark of lukewarm faith. Paul warns that self-assurance without vigilance can lead to spiritual failure. Even those who appear strong in faith must guard against apathy, temptation, and half-hearted devotion. This verse reminds believers to remain humble, alert, and proactive in cultivating a passionate, unwavering relationship with God.
13. Hosea 6:4
“What can I do with you, Ephraim? What can I do with you, Judah? Your love is like the morning mist, like the early dew that disappears.”
God expresses frustration with fleeting, inconsistent devotion. Lukewarm faith is unreliable and fails to honor God fully. Ephraim’s superficial love illustrates how transient passion leaves spiritual life dry and unfruitful. This verse encourages believers to cultivate lasting commitment, ensuring that their love for God endures and produces spiritual fruit over time.
14. Colossians 3:23
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Lukewarmness often shows up in a lack of wholehearted effort in spiritual or daily tasks. Paul instructs believers to serve with complete dedication, seeing their work as an offering to God rather than merely fulfilling human expectations. This verse inspires intentionality and passion in every action, preventing spiritual indifference from creeping into life and service.
15. Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Lukewarmness can emerge as discouragement or fatigue in doing God’s work. Paul encourages perseverance and consistent devotion, reminding believers that persistence leads to eventual reward. This verse underscores the importance of maintaining spiritual fervor even when results are not immediately visible, avoiding complacency and half-hearted effort.
16. James 1:22
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
Lukewarm faith is often passive—hearing God’s Word without acting on it. James calls for active obedience, emphasizing that knowledge of Scripture must translate into practical, lived-out faith. This verse warns against self-deception and challenges believers to fully engage with God’s commands, cultivating a vibrant and effective spiritual life.
17. Jeremiah 6:16
“Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Lukewarmness can stem from neglecting God’s established paths. Jeremiah calls believers to seek and follow God’s guidance wholeheartedly. Half-hearted attempts at righteousness lead to spiritual unrest and dissatisfaction. This verse encourages intentional pursuit of God’s ways, leaving lukewarm attitudes behind to find true peace and fulfillment.
18. Ezekiel 33:32
“Indeed, to them you are like a singer of love songs with a beautiful voice and skillful playing, but they hear you only with their ears. Their hearts are not attentive.”
Ezekiel exposes the danger of lukewarm reception of God’s message. People may enjoy the form of worship or teaching but fail to engage deeply with its meaning. Lukewarm hearts miss the transformative power of God’s Word. This verse reminds believers that spiritual engagement requires sincerity, focus, and heartfelt obedience rather than passive admiration.
19. Psalm 1:1-2
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.”
Lukewarmness can be reflected in a lack of commitment to God’s Word and lifestyle. The psalmist highlights that blessing comes from deliberate, consistent engagement with God’s truth. A lukewarm approach—occasional meditation or selective obedience—fails to yield spiritual strength. This passage encourages believers to cultivate devotion that permeates thought, action, and daily living.
20. Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Lukewarmness may manifest as complacency in spiritual growth or lingering on past successes and failures. Paul models the relentless pursuit of God’s calling with focus and determination. This verse inspires believers to leave mediocrity behind, actively pressing forward in faith, and cultivating a passionate, unwavering devotion to God’s purposes.
21. Revelation 3:3
“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”
Jesus warns against spiritual complacency and lukewarmness. Forgetting or neglecting the truths of God’s Word leads to vulnerability and judgment. This verse calls believers to vigilance, active repentance, and a renewed commitment to faith, emphasizing that staying spiritually awake prevents lukewarm attitudes from taking root.
22. 1 John 2:15-16
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
Lukewarmness often arises when believers compromise between God and worldly desires. John reminds Christians that divided love leads to half-hearted faith. True devotion requires prioritizing God above temporary pleasures or pride. This passage urges self-examination and wholehearted commitment to the Father, avoiding spiritual mediocrity.
23. Matthew 5:6
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
Spiritual lukewarmness is characterized by a lack of desire for righteousness. Jesus highlights the blessing of those who passionately seek God’s ways. Hunger and thirst for righteousness counter indifference, prompting believers to pursue active, eager faith. This verse inspires a wholehearted pursuit of God’s will, leaving lukewarm attitudes behind.
24. Romans 12:1
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.”
Lukewarmness in worship occurs when devotion is partial or mechanical. Paul calls believers to present themselves fully to God as a living sacrifice. Total surrender counters spiritual apathy, cultivating worship that engages heart, mind, and actions. This verse underscores that God desires complete commitment, not lukewarm gestures.
25. Hebrews 10:23-25
“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Lukewarm faith often shows in neglecting fellowship and community. Hebrews emphasizes perseverance, accountability, and mutual encouragement to keep faith vibrant. This passage reminds believers that spiritual fervor is sustained through active engagement with the body of Christ, preventing cold or half-hearted commitment.
26. 1 Peter 4:7
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray.”
Lukewarmness can dull spiritual alertness and prayer life. Peter calls for vigilance and seriousness in devotion. Being spiritually awake strengthens resilience against complacency, keeping faith active and effective. This verse highlights that attentiveness and consistent prayer counter lukewarm tendencies and prepare believers for God’s purposes.
27. Ezekiel 18:30
“Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall.”
Lukewarmness is often evident in partial repentance or inconsistent obedience. Ezekiel calls for genuine, thorough turning from sin. Half-hearted attempts at righteousness fail to transform the heart. This verse encourages believers to embrace full repentance and wholehearted devotion to God, leaving lukewarm behavior behind.
28. James 4:10
“Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”
Spiritual lukewarmness can result from pride or self-reliance. James teaches that humility is essential to rekindling fervent faith. True devotion requires recognizing dependence on God, surrendering personal agendas, and fully committing to His will. This verse reminds believers that humility fuels passionate, obedient faith.
29. Proverbs 27:23-24
“Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations.”
Lukewarmness is often linked to neglect—whether in spiritual, personal, or relational responsibilities. Solomon encourages diligence, awareness, and active stewardship. Just as careful attention sustains material blessings, wholehearted effort sustains spiritual vitality. This passage reinforces that apathy leads to loss, while vigilance nurtures enduring faith.
30. Psalm 119:133
“Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.”
Lukewarmness can allow sin or distraction to dominate a believer’s life. The psalmist prays for guidance, seeking steadfast obedience and focused devotion. This verse exemplifies the need for daily reliance on God’s Word to maintain zeal and prevent spiritual indifference. It teaches that wholehearted commitment keeps believers on the path of righteousness.
31. 2 Peter 1:10
“Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.”
Lukewarmness can cause believers to drift spiritually and lose focus on God’s calling. Peter urges deliberate, consistent effort to strengthen faith and grow in virtue. Confirming one’s commitment prevents spiritual stagnation, ensuring that lukewarm attitudes do not lead to failure or missed blessings.
32. Galatians 5:24
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
Half-hearted devotion allows worldly desires to dominate, resulting in lukewarmness. Paul emphasizes that genuine discipleship requires decisive action against sinful tendencies. True commitment involves fully surrendering the flesh, living in obedience, and pursuing spiritual fervor that reflects Christ’s life.
33. Romans 13:11
“And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.”
Lukewarmness is likened to spiritual slumber. Paul reminds believers of the urgency of faithful, active devotion. Awakening from complacency rekindles passion for God, encouraging believers to live intentionally and pursue holiness with renewed diligence.
34. Colossians 1:10
“So that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.”
Spiritual lukewarmness hinders growth and fruitfulness. Paul encourages believers to cultivate a life fully pleasing to God through active engagement and constant learning. Wholehearted devotion enables spiritual maturity, preventing indifference from diminishing effectiveness in service and faith.
35. Matthew 6:33
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
Lukewarmness often results from misplaced priorities. Jesus instructs believers to pursue God’s kingdom above all else, ensuring that their hearts remain fully devoted. This verse reminds us that wholehearted focus on God yields blessings, fulfillment, and spiritual vitality, countering half-hearted faith.
36. 1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
Lukewarmness diminishes perseverance and impact in ministry or service. Paul urges full dedication, assuring that committed effort in God’s work produces lasting results. This verse motivates believers to maintain zeal and steadfastness, avoiding complacency or half-hearted involvement.
37. Philippians 2:12-13
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.”
Lukewarmness can emerge when believers rely solely on past faith rather than actively pursuing spiritual growth. Paul teaches the importance of diligence while trusting in God’s power to produce transformation. This balance of effort and dependence prevents spiritual mediocrity and encourages fervent devotion.
38. Hebrews 6:11-12
“We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.”
Spiritual lukewarmness often shows as laziness or apathy. Hebrews exhorts believers to emulate steadfast faith and patience, pursuing hope with diligence. Committed effort ensures that faith remains vibrant, yielding the full blessings God intends.
39. John 15:4-5
“Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
Lukewarm faith disconnects believers from Christ, resulting in spiritual barrenness. Jesus emphasizes the necessity of remaining fully connected to Him for vitality and productivity. This verse reminds us that wholehearted dependence and union with Christ sustain fervent faith and fruitful living.
40. Psalm 51:10
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Lukewarmness often originates in hearts that have grown weary, distracted, or impure. David’s prayer models the longing for renewal and wholehearted devotion. This verse calls believers to seek God’s restoration, igniting passion, sincerity, and unwavering commitment to Him.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Bible makes it quite evident that lukewarm religion is harmful because it betrays a complacent and divided heart. God does not call His people to partial dedication, but to complete devotion. Living a life of spiritual compromise, when religion has become regular and zeal for Christ has faded, is what it means to be lukewarm. These verses serve as a sobering reminder that God wants His people to remain steadfast in their love for Him, grounded in truth, and ardent in spirit.
In the end, lukewarm passages are designed to awaken rather than condemn. They challenge us to examine our relationship with God, turn from our apathy, and look for the Holy Spirit’s fire to rekindle our love for Him. A life that is totally given over to God radiates Christ’s glory, influences others, and shines brilliantly in faith. We can transition from apathetic existence to dynamic discipleship that pleases God and changes lives by paying attention to these cautions and embracing rejuvenation.
