After the unexpected popularity of Jesus Didn’t Die for You to Be Ashamed: 10 Signs of a Lukewarm Christian (I’m guessing that God has been working in the hearts of all of us through the unexpected 2020 pandemic), I’ve gotten so many emails and messages from girls telling me that they could really relate to the signs I shared. And many of them would then go on to ask how they could stop being a lukewarm Christian and thus break the vicious and never-ending cycle that they were in. So for those of you who can identify as a lukewarm Christian, my heart goes out to you in this blog post written just for you <3
For those of you joining me for the very first time, I’m so glad that you’re here! But because we don’t know each other super well yet, I just wanted to put this out here: while these messages are supposed to convict in the most loving way possible, in no way shape or form are these messages supposed to be condemning. I just want to prepare you for what you are about to read next because it’s not a warm, fuzzy kind of read.
But before we get started on how to stop being a lukewarm Christian, I really strongly encourage that you take a look at the article that kickstarted this all off… Jesus Didn’t Die for You to Be Ashamed: 10 Signs of a Lukewarm Christian not only to get a better understanding of where I’m coming from but to also help you understand where you are coming from.
Click the image below to grab your FREE devotional on how to stop being a lukewarm Christian and begin walking with the Lord in the way He originally designed! 👇👇
A Personal Story about Linking Arms with Lukewarm Faith
I grew up in a Church. Saying my ‘pleases’ and ‘thank yous’ were second nature to me. Praying before a meal and reading my Bible each night was a given. Honestly, you could have signed me up to be the poster child of good behaviour. Ya know, the kind with the chic suspenders and the cute newsboy cap… if you just threw in a bowtie and there would be no one denying what a ‘good’ kid you are.
I mean come’n! Look at that 👇👇
But seriously. Even though I was living life pretty well by the world’s standards, both God and I were well aware of how far from the truth that really was.
Perhaps you can kind of relate to my story. Ya know, the one where you would go to church on Sundays, acting all ‘holier than thou’… only to have been doing some things that weren’t so ‘prim and proper’ on the Saturday. You hid your faith so well outside of church hours that even if you were to be the only Christian among a group of non-believers, it would probably have been near-impossible to pick you out from the crowd… But it is time to stop being a lukewarm Christian and halt that lukewarmness in its tracks.
I’m a Lukewarm Christian — Does that Mean I’m Not Saved?
The message of lukewarm Christianity is kind of like work as a dentist 🦷… I take no pleasure in giving anaesthetic to my patients because let’s be honest, I’m sure there are so many other things that would be more pleasant for them than getting an injection. For example, eating a sweet treat would be a much lovelier experience. But what they need isn’t to eat more sugar and rot more teeth, what they need is someone who cares enough to treat the toothache that they are now experiencing. And that’s exactly what these blog posts are about.
The message of lukewarm Christianity isn’t always a pleasant one… and it isn’t one that some people like because it causes us to fall off our high horse and humble ourselves. However, these messages aren’t about scaring us into running away from the problem, but inspiring us to move towards finding the only cure to the problem: Jesus.
So when I receive messages from few sweet girls that say: “I relate to pretty much all the signs of a lukewarm Christian, but now I am scared… I’m afraid that God hates me and that I am not really saved… and I feel so distant from God now”. Reading these statements made my heart want to cry… and I really wished I could have been physically next to them to give them a big hug! Each and every time I see a message like that, I always tell them this…
“All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” — John 6:37
I’m Not a Perfect Christian… So Am I Saved?
This simple truth serves to remind you over and over that whoever truly comes to the cross will never be cast out. You are saved by grace through faith. But true faith bears good fruit… so without good fruit, there is no evidence of your faith and consequently, if you are comfortable with living out a lukewarm faith, you have not truly come to the cross. What is happening, in reality, is hypocrisy.
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. — James 2:14-17
But we aren’t perfect and even when we begin proclaiming the gospel and trying to live it out, we will make mistakes and we will continue to sin. And this is where grace comes in. Due to our imperfections, blemishes and stains, nothing that we do on our part is enough to be saved. The only thing that can make us anew is our faith in a saviour… where we will then go on to repent of our sins and proclaim our need for a redeemer.
So What is it that Saves Us? Here is a Quick Sum Up…
We are saved by grace through faith.
Step One: Faith…
Evidence of true faith can be seen through the good fruit that you bear. It can also be seen when you wholeheartedly repent of your sins and proclaim your need for a saviour.
Step Two: Grace…
However, no amount of good works is enough to cleanse you of your sins. This is where grace comes in. When we have faith, it is by grace we are saved. So even though we are not good enough, He still loves us enough to save us. His sacrifice on the cross is what ultimately saves us.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” — Ephesians 2:8
But what if I keep messing up?
God knew you were never going to be perfect. If you were perfect already and never sinned ever again, then what use is there of a saviour? His sacrifice exists to give you comfort that even though we should be living a life striving to be more and more like Jesus, because doing so is evidence of our faith, we can rest with full assurance knowing that salvation is already guaranteed to those who put their faith in Him.
Click the image below to grab your FREE devotional on how to stop being a lukewarm Christian and begin walking with the Lord in the way He originally designed! 👇👇
How to Stop Being a Lukewarm Christian | Don’t Be a Lukewarm Christian
How to Not Be a Lukewarm Christian: Tip #1 Acknowledge Your Shortcomings
Have there been areas in your life that you haven’t fully given up to the Lord? Or have there been moments in your life where you would choose the approval of the world over the approval of your Creator? Have you been living a life of hypocrisy and lukewarmness?
This is the hardest one of all to deal with, but acknowledging that you haven’t been going after Christ like you should have and taking responsibility for your misgivings is the first step towards moving out of that lifestyle of lukewarmness and moving towards real faith.
So at the end of this blog post, go for a walk outside or lock your doors and switch off your devices and begin praying out loud. Begin repenting of your inadequacies and then boldly choose to begin living a life after Christ. No more hiding, no more faking. Just begin living a life reflecting the truth of His gospel to the full extent of it’s glory!
Sometimes getting into a prayer routine can be hard. Work gets in the way. School gets in the way. Kids get in the way. LIFE gets in the way. That is exactly why sometimes staying practical and creating new systems to keep you on track can help with a well-disciplined prayer life. This is where the Daily Prayer Journal printable comes in handy. Deepen your relationship with God through regular prayer by making use of the practical accountability of a prayer journal.
Click the image belowto grab your printable for just$25$9.99👇👇
How to Not Be a Lukewarm Christian: Tip #2 Build Up Your Armour of Truth
The lies from the world around us comes in all shapes and form… and when we get fed more information from the world around us over the truth that we see from scriptures, it becomes so much harder to try and differentiate between what is true and what isn’t. However, when we begin immersing ourselves more regularly and intentionally in the Word, it becomes much easier to discern what is true and good and what is false and appears good.
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. — Ephesians 6:10-13
There is no other way to know who your Heavenly Father is than through regularly reading and studying the Word of God.
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How to Not Be a Lukewarm Christian: Tip #3 Identify Your Fears & Re-order Your Priorities
If you’ve identified that you are indeed a lukewarm Christian, one of the most important steps on how to stop being a lukewarm Christian is to discover what your heart is truly holding on to. When we worship idols, it comes in many shapes and forms i.e. mistaken priorities, misplaced fearsand false senses of identity.
“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.” — Galatians 4:8
So begin digging deep and really ask yourself questions like these… what do you find your identity in? Do you find your identity in your Creator, or do you find your identity in success? Or perhaps you find your identity in popularity and being well liked? Or you might find your identity in your own sense of perfection and idealism.
Whatever it is, you are most likely afraid of something other than doing wrong by God. And because you fear that thing, what you fear has become your top priority… even above the Lord. It has, in short, become an idol in your life.
How to Not Be a Lukewarm Christian: Tip #4 Spend More Time with the Lord
These days, I actually get a headache from having Netflix playing on in the background. I won’t lie… even Spotify creates tension within me. This might not necessarily be the case with you, but I realized the reason why… I was spending far more time engaging with Netflix and Spotify (even though it was only ever worship music) than actually quieting my mind and spending time with the Lord.
It was only when I decided to intentionally quiet down the noise from the outside world, that I began feeling more peace in my life. When we don’t spend quiet time with the Lord and our Creator, we begin growing distant from Him… and we begin wondering more and more if He is even really there.
But He is there… and He wants to spend time with you.
Click the image below to grab your FREE devotional on how to stop being a lukewarm Christian and begin walking with the Lord in the way He originally designed! 👇👇
How to Not Be a Lukewarm Christian: Tip #5 Accountability and Regular Heart Checks
We are all going to mess up.
Honestly, I am like my baby nephew in so many ways. I pick up food with my hands and keep slapping my mouth with it. Sometimes I get it right and the food goes in. But sometimes the food ends up on my lap or flinging onto the poor sap sitting next to me.
When it comes to our faith, there are going to be good seasons and there are going to be bad seasons. We are going to go through moments in life where we feel on top of our spiritual ‘game’, but there are also going to be moments where we don’t feel like we are doing well at all.
So having Godly friendships with people you can talk to and having regular accountability and heart checks are important. The life that you have chosen to live… the life that wants nothing more than to chase after the gospel is a hard one. But it isn’t one that you are meant to do alone.
“1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load.” — Galatians 6:1-5
Here’s a Quick Word From Me 🙂
P.S. If you feel like you have no one in this life to talk to about your faith, email hi@truthfullymichelle.comto start a conversation 🙂 I always love hearing from girls like you because whether you like it or not, we are most certainly friends and sisters in Christ!
Did You Like this Blog Post on How to Stop Being a Lukewarm Christian?
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Before You Go…
Hope ya enjoyed this lil’ blog post on how to stop being a lukewarm Christian! In this PC world, living out a lukewarm faith has become the norm. But He wants to work in your life outside of the confines of lukewarm Christianity. So are you willing to do the dance of life together with Him? Are you ready to hold onto His hand and take a leap of faith into His arms? Drop a comment below and let me know — do you relate to being a lukewarm Christian? Let’s start a discussion!
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5 Practical Tips on How to Stop Being a Lukewarm Christian
filed:
Just your 27 year old dental surgeon, writer and creator of Truthfully, Michelle & Girls After Truth. I love creating printables to help encourage, uplift and propel women to take charge of their faith. I hope you leave this space feeling more joy than when you first came in today Xx
Praise God! He has used your blog for me to understand everything and to know what to do. I have also realized that we are all facing the same battles. We should always guard our hearts. Put on the full armor of God. And have FAITH!
Thank you, it’s what I needed to hear.
I am drafting away for a long time but I am back and don’t want to be a lukewarm Christians. I need prayers bc everytime I am reading my Bible. My kids acting up or my spouse and it’s in the way. Thanks!
Thank you for this because it’s showed what I have to do to show up and show out for god as he does me, and work on NOT having a lukewarm relationship with him.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a
really well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it
and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I will certainly return.
I am a dental surgeon, small printables business owner, former graphic design freelancer and a budding pilates enthusiast.
I love creating printables that help encourage, uplift and propel women who want to take control of their faith and live a set-apart life for the Maker who knows their heart.
I adore tea, all shades of pastel and watching the sunset. I hope that you will relish in the beauty of every moment and find joy in the smallest of things. I pray that you will be able to find true satisfaction in Christ alone and that you will be able to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord whatever season of life you are in.
MEET THE BLOGGER
Before you get any further... Hey! I'm Michelle!
I'M SO GLAD YOU'RE HERE.
Thank you for taking the time to check out my site! I am so excited to share more with you about this passion that the Lord has placed upon my heart and get to know a little more about who the Lord lovingly made you to be!
Cinnamon spiced lattes, puppies with bows and watercolour paintings are just some of my favourite things. However, above all, I’m just a lover of Jesus and people. So let’s live with joy that set-apart life that God has created us purposefully for together. For He is the One who calls you by name and has loved you from the beginning of time! ❤️
hey girl!
Hey,
I'm MichellE.
I am a dental surgeon, small printables business owner, former graphic design freelancer and a budding pilates enthusiast.
I love creating printables that help encourage, uplift and propel women who want to take control of their faith and live a set-apart life for the Maker who knows their heart.
I adore tea, all shades of pastel and watching the sunset. I hope that you will relish in the beauty of every moment and find joy in the smallest of things. I pray that you will be able to find true satisfaction in Christ alone and that you will be able to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord whatever season of life you are in.
Friend. Dental Surgeon. Small Printables Business Owner.
Encouraging the modern twenty-something girl to boldly spark His beacon of light in this oft-dark world and inspiring them to A. seek biblical truth through scripture and B. stand for biblical truth in the midst of a culture-driven world.
NO.
Statement of Faith.
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NO.
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NO.
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NO.
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MY FAVOURITE: AREN'T THESE WHITE FLOWERS SO LOVELY?!
We believe in one God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit
We believe that we are all sinners and all sins need to be paid
We believe that Jesus died to pay for our sins
We believe that it is only by grace through faith that we're saved
Yes!
Praise God! He has used your blog for me to understand everything and to know what to do. I have also realized that we are all facing the same battles. We should always guard our hearts. Put on the full armor of God. And have FAITH!
Thank you for all these posts that you’ve made. I’m beginning to understand better and how to live fully for the Lord. I bless you sister! ❤
Highly appreciate
Thank you, it’s what I needed to hear.
I am drafting away for a long time but I am back and don’t want to be a lukewarm Christians. I need prayers bc everytime I am reading my Bible. My kids acting up or my spouse and it’s in the way. Thanks!
Thank you for this because it’s showed what I have to do to show up and show out for god as he does me, and work on NOT having a lukewarm relationship with him.
Quality articles is the important to interest the viewers to go to see
the site, that’s what this website is providing.
Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a
really well written article. I will make sure to bookmark it
and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post.
I will certainly return.