Reluctant Faith: The Moment Everything Changed (And I Almost Didn't Notice)

When does quiet reluctance to follow Jesus become lukewarm faith? It often starts small—and we may not notice until it’s too late.

It was last week at our annual barn fundraiser for BTTB’s Talk’N Truth podcaster Dan Whitney (aka-Larry the Cable Guy) and his Git-R-Done Foundation—I was chatting with this guy who seriously needed Jesus. And there I was, making excuses again. Avoiding talking to him about Jesus. Telling myself, “I’ll catch him next year…for sure.” Then it hit me—I say that every year.

It seemed like such a small thing—just avoiding a conversation I knew God wanted me to have. But as I sat there, justifying my silence, a terrifying thought hit me: What if I've been doing this so long that at some point, I don't even feel the conviction anymore?

Dallas Willard once said, "The idea that you can trust Christ and not intend to obey Him is an illusion." I used to think he was being overly dramatic. Now I'm wondering if he wasn't dramatic enough.

Here's what keeps me up at night: When does our reluctance to follow Jesus cross the line into becoming lukewarm? And more importantly—how do we know when we've already crossed it?

The Question That Haunts Me

I've been wrestling with this for my upcoming book, and I need your help. Through our research at the Center for Spiritual Fitness, we've identified five areas where Christ followers consistently struggle with reluctance:

• Reluctant to fully trust God (desperately clinging to control instead)

• Reluctant to share our faith (staying silent out of fear)

• Reluctant to forgive (withholding forgiveness and love)

• Reluctant to sacrifice (choosing comfort over obedience)

• Reluctant to stop known sin (because we think we deserve better)

Month after month, our spiritual fitness participants report the same thing: "I'm not growing spiritually." It's become our number one struggle.

But here's the part that scares me most—I see these patterns in my own life.

My Honest Confession

As I get older, I find myself fighting reluctance on multiple fronts simultaneously. Some days I win. Some days...well, let's just say Jesus is patient with me.

There are moments when I look in the mirror and wonder: Am I still reluctant, or have I become something worse? Have I crossed over into being lukewarm without even realizing it?

That's when Revelation 3:16 hits me like a cold slap: "So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth."

The image is devastating. It's super personal.

And it drives me to pray desperately for Jesus' help to win the day spiritually.

Here's What I Need From You

I'm convinced this struggle isn't just mine. Somewhere in your story, there's a moment—maybe you can pinpoint it, maybe it was gradual—when reluctance started turning into something more dangerous.

When did it happen for you?

Was it after months of skipping prayer? Years of avoiding difficult conversations? The first time you stopped feeling guilty about a particular sin? Or was it more subtle—a slow cooling that you didn't notice until someone else pointed it out?

I'm asking because I believe your story could help someone else recognize the warning signs in their own life. Your honesty could be the wake-up call another believer desperately needs.

Email and tell me: When do you think reluctance turns into being lukewarm?

Your answer might just make it into my next book—and more importantly, it might help both of us stay on the hot side of God's heart.

Praying we choose fire over ice,

-Arnie

P.S. If this post made you uncomfortable, that might be the Holy Spirit. Don't ignore that feeling.