“I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. 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 3:15-17, ESV)
Revelation is a prophetic book written by the apostle John while banished to the Greek isle of Patmos. While there, the Lord gave John a vision of end time events. The opening chapters describe strengths and weaknesses of the seven churches of Asia Minor: Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamos, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. Take time to read the first three chapters and note how each church is described.
God said Laodicea, described in the above verses, was neither cold nor hot but lukewarm. Think how you feel when you discover your morning cup of coffee is lukewarm. It’s unpleasant, even nasty—something you might spit out and then go search for a fresh, hot cup. That’s how God said He felt about this lukewarm church. He wanted to spit them out.
If I were to choose a single word to describe Laodicea, it would be complacent. They were self-satisfied, even self-righteous. Their passion for the things of God was gone, and they were quite content to just drift along as they were. They even bragged, “I don’t need a thing. I’ve got everything I need.” But God said, “You are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind, and naked.” Quite an indictment.
Let’s examine this on a more personal level. Is it possible we have become complacent in our walk with God? Oh, it doesn’t happen all at once. The change may be so gradual that we never notice. We become satisfied with the ordinary. We still attend church, but the excitement is missing. We pray, but it has become a powerless ritual. We have become sluggish, sleepy Christians. We never realize how distracted we’ve become by the cares of life and busy schedules.
Satan is delighted to see us grow complacent. He may find it easier to lull us into comfortable apathy than to entice us to blatant sin. In our sluggishness, we feel no need to repent. Everything is “good enough.” Our soul is at ease. This is the trap Satan uses to draw us away.
How do we guard against complacency in our walk with God? First, we must stay alert and shake off our sleepiness. Then we must pray for a renewed passion for God. We must examine ourselves to find what things we have allowed to replaced our focus on God. What captivates our heart? The things of God or the things of the world?
Luke 21:36 warns:
“But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (ESV).
Lord, keep me alert, awake, and focused on things eternal rather than things of this world. If You see me becoming too comfortable, too complacent in my walk with You, stir my heart and renew my passion for You.
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