Tepidity

2,000 years ago, when Jesus walked this earth as both fully God and fully human, there was perhaps nothing more feared than the dreaded disease of leprosy. This ancient affliction can be traced back several hundred years before the birth of Christ. Today, we understand much about Hansen's disease, or leprosy, that was unknown then. For instance, we now know it's a long-term infection caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium leprae.

The infection can damage nerves, the respiratory tract, skin, and eyes. Nerve damage can lead to a loss of pain sensation, potentially resulting in the loss of extremities due to repeated injuries or untreated wounds. Thankfully, today leprosy is curable with a multi-antibiotic drug therapy, and it's not highly contagious. In most parts of the world, it's hardly noticed or feared.

The Fear of Leprosy in Jesus' Time

But none of that was true in AD27 when Jesus began his earthly ministry. Back then, leprosy evoked loathing and fear unlike any other disease. Those unfortunate enough to be stricken suffered physically, mentally, socially, psychologically, and spiritually. The Bible records that lepers were outcasts, banned from living among the healthy.

They were cut off from family and friends, forced to live their days surrounded by other lepers with no hope of a cure or reintegration into society. Worse still, the Jewish culture of the time saw leprosy as a divine judgment for one's sins, adding a heavy burden of guilt and spiritual ostracism. This somber backdrop sets the stage for a different kind of affliction discussed in Revelation 3, a spiritual lukewarmness, or a term which I have coined, called "tepidity."

The Spiritual Affliction of Tepidity

So, what is tepidity, and why does it matter? Tepidity is another name for spiritual lukewarmness, a condition where believers lose their passion for God. Just like leprosy, it creates a false sense of reality. Those afflicted believe they are rich and need nothing, unaware of their true wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked state.

It's a dangerous condition that can be passively acquired or actively through spiritual arrogance. The Jewish leaders of Jesus' time exhibited this arrogance, despising his divine ability to read their thoughts and expose hypocrisy. The warning in Revelation 3 implies that the last days will see a similar spiritual arrogance. We have been blessed with great truths, yet many of us fall into the trap of complacency, a spiritual equivalent of physical malaise.

Complacency: The Spiritual Killer

Complacency leads to status quo thinking, where we say, "This is the way we've always done it." But would the early apostolic church have grown if they thought like that? I doubt it. Complacency is akin to the lukewarm condition of saying, "I have need of nothing," echoing the false reality of self-sufficiency.

The truth is, many are spiritually naked without the robe of Christ's righteousness. Remember Hans Christian Andersen's tale of "The Emperor's New Clothes"? The emperor believed he wore magnificent clothes, only to be exposed as naked. Similarly, spiritual tepidity blinds us to our true condition. We can't cover our sins with rituals or good deeds. We must face the truth: we're lukewarm.

Finding the Cure

So, what's the cure for tepidity? It's not isolation or condemnation. Unlike leprosy, the cure is simple: Jesus. Revelation 3:20 says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock." Jesus is the prescription for spiritual tepidity. We don't have to search for him; he's right there, knocking at the door.

In 2025, tepidity, the condition of being lukewarm, is a huge threat. It creates a false reality that weakens the connection between believer and God. The spiritual senses dim, and the heart hardens. You can't compartmentalize Jesus into a small corner of your life. If you think you can, you're already infected with tepidity.

The Battle Against Spiritual Tepidity

Why does this happen? It's simple. Our fallen human nature has a propensity to sin, the default setting of this world. Satan is adept at making sin enticing and addictive. If you dabble with Satan, he wins. It's as simple as that. Too many people think they can dabble with sin, but it only leads to tepidity.

1 Corinthians 10:21 warns us, "You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons." Yet, many believers dabble with Jesus at their convenience, opening the door to him only when it fits their schedule. Contrast this with the Apostle Paul's attitude, who lived his best life by dying to self daily.

A Call to Action

The warning of Revelation 3:16 applies not just to individuals but to churches and fellowships. If a church is lukewarm, it's because its members are lukewarm. It is a warning that is directed at us in these last days. We must examine our spiritual condition honestly and make the necessary changes.

Do you have symptoms of being lukewarm? There's only one cure: Jesus. More and more Jesus. Daily doses of Jesus. Total surrender to Jesus. In biblical times, leprosy was a cruel disease, but tepidity is its spiritual counterpart, and is devastating to the body of Christ.

Jesus healed ten lepers who cried out to him. Today, he's knocking at your door, ready to heal you from complacency, spiritual arrogance, and anything causing you to become lukewarm. Open the door to him today and every day. Let him heal you.

Lessons from the Past for Today’s Believers

The fear and stigma associated with leprosy during the times of Jesus serve as a potent metaphor for the spiritual challenges we face today. Just as leprosy isolated individuals from their communities, spiritual tepidity isolates us from the vibrant life God intends for us. In both cases, the afflicted are unaware of the depth of their condition. Leprosy numbs the physical senses, while tepidity numbs the spiritual senses. Both require a healer who can see beyond the surface symptoms to the heart of the matter.

In the case of leprosy, the cure is now clear and effective. But for spiritual tepidity, the solution is a bit more complex, requiring introspection, humility, and a willingness to be transformed. It calls for believers to reignite their passion for God by engaging with Scriptures, seeking meaningful fellowship, embracing a life of service and devotion, and being in a condition of red hot fervor for the Lord.

Embrace the Fullness of Faith

Ultimately, the battle against spiritual tepidity is a call to embrace the fullness of faith. It is a reminder that we are called to be more than spectators in our spiritual journey. Like the early church, which thrived not because of complacency but because of a fervent commitment to the teachings of Jesus, we too are called to live out our faith with zeal and purpose.

In this journey, let us remember that Jesus stands at the door, ever ready to enter and transform our lives. He invites us to move beyond the lukewarm waters of tepidity into the refreshing streams of living water that he offers. Let us open the door wide, inviting him to every part of our lives, allowing his light to dispel the shadows of complacency and ignite a fervent love for God and others.

As we reflect on the lessons from the past and apply them to our lives today, may we find courage and inspiration to rise above spiritual tepidity, allowing the warmth of God's love to renew and restore us. In doing so, we not only find healing for our souls but also become beacons of hope and transformation in a world that desperately needs the light of Jesus Christ.

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