Lukewarm Leadership: 3 Signs We May Be Losing the Fire (And How to Get It Back)

“Good morning!”

That’s how the story started—but the weight of the message came quickly:

“Let’s make sure we’re not lukewarm, assuming we’re on fire for God.”

For many of us as Christian leaders, the danger isn’t open rebellion—it’s quiet drift.

It’s not that we’ve rejected God.

It’s that we’ve replaced deep fellowship with spiritual performance.

This post isn’t a rebuke—it’s a wake-up call. For all of us. Myself included.

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!”—Revelation 3:15 (NIV)

Here Are 3 Signs We May Be Lukewarm

1. Our Prayer Life Is Absent or Malnourished

We’re praying for stuff—but not people.

We bring God our list, but not our heart.

We seek blessings, but not burden. We ask for favor, but not nations. And somewhere along the way, intercession faded.

“You have not because you ask not… that you may spend it on your own pleasures.” —James 4:2–3 (NKJV)

A lukewarm prayer life is self-centered. A Spirit-led one is kingdom-centered.

Ask: When was the last time I wept for someone else in prayer?

2. We Interpret Every Battle as a Personal Attack

Instead of discerning the season, we internalize every struggle.

We assume we’re under attack, but don’t pause to ask: “Lord, is there something You’re trying to reveal?”

We pray the problem away—without ever asking for insight.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” —Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God…” —James 1:5 (NKJV)

Sometimes what we call warfare is actually refining.

Sometimes discomfort is disguised discipleship.

Ask: Am I asking God why this is happening—or just asking Him to make it stop?

3. We Avoid the Fellowship of People Who Are On Fire

We don’t want to be challenged.

We don’t want to feel convicted.

So we stay around people who are comfortable—because real fire reveals what’s not burning in us.

“They hated Me without a cause.” —John 15:25 (NKJV)

“The wounds of a friend can be trusted…” —Proverbs 27:6 (NIV)

“Do not quench the Spirit.” —1 Thessalonians 5:19 (ESV)

We begin to resent those who stir conviction, when we should be grateful for the Holy Spirit’s call to deeper surrender.

Ask: Do I distance myself from people who walk in fire because I feel exposed?

In the Name of Jesus… Let the Fire Fall Again

We don’t need more performance.

We need more Presence.

We need hunger. Holiness. Conviction. Clarity. And a fresh move of God.

So here’s our shared prayer:

In the name of Jesus, we speak peace, favor, power, and renewed passion over God’s elect. Lord, wake us up. Conviction. Holiness. Power. Let Your will be done in us, and through us. In Jesus name, amen.

Alpha Identity Connection

Lukewarmness erodes our Christ-centered Identity Health and decreases our Potential Impact—because when we lose our fire, we forget who we are, why we’re here, to whom we were sent and the heart of the One who sent us.”

Hakim Taliaferro is a faith-driven entrepreneur, speaker, and founder of Alpha Talk and The Taliaferro, a luxury fragrance house. With a heart for equipping Kingdom-minded leaders, Hakim blends spiritual wisdom and marketplace strategy to help others walk boldly in their God-given identity and assignment. He is a devoted husband, father, and mentor committed to building legacy through faith, excellence, and authenticity.