“And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.” – Matthew 24:12
When the disciples asked Jesus about the end of the age, He didn’t give them a vague answer. He spoke plainly—false prophets would rise, nations would clash, and deception would spread like wildfire. But then He gave a warning that cuts deeper than earthquakes or wars: “the love of many will grow cold.” Jesus wasn’t talking about ordinary affection; He meant agape—the selfless, Christlike love that puts others above self. He said it would “grow cold,” a phrase describing spiritual warmth slowly chilled by a poisonous wind. Cold doesn’t happen instantly; it happens through exposure. Just as metal left out in winter loses its heat, hearts exposed to constant spiritual coldness begin to lose their fire.
This makes us think about our own spiritual temperature. What am I exposing my heart to? What influences shape my thoughts, my conversations, my habits? Scripture warns us, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (1 Corinthians 15:33 NKJV). Coldness creeps in quietly—through the voices we listen to, the people we admire, the entertainment we consume, the environments we tolerate. Like a pot taken off the stove, the cooling is slow and subtle. You don’t notice it at first. But over time, the warmth fades. The passion dulls. The fire dims. And before long, the love that once burned bright for Jesus becomes lukewarm, then cold.
So how do we stay on fire for Christ in a world that chills the soul? We must examine who we walk with, who we confide in, and who we allow to influence us. Every person in our lives brings a temperature—some warm our hearts toward Christ, others cool them down. If we spend more time with worldly influences than with Jesus, we are exposing ourselves to spiritual frostbite. But if we stay close to Him—through His Word, His people, and His presence—our hearts remain stirred, alive, and burning with love.
Take your spiritual temperature today. Has your love cooled? Are you exposing yourself to influences that chill your walk with Christ? Draw near to Jesus. Surround yourself with people who keep your heart warm. Guard your soul from the cold winds of the world. Stay close to Him—and your love will stay on fire.
“The temperature of our spiritual life will rise or fall depending on the company we keep.” — Vance Havner
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