Discernment & TruthDavid Wilkerson

David Wilkerson on the Lukewarm Gospel

Why does this teaching matter?

Wilkerson's warning echoes Christ's rebuke of the Laodicean church in Revelation 3. A gospel that cherry-picks only the comforting passages while ignoring repentance, judgment, holiness, and the cost of discipleship is not the whole counsel of God — it is a dangerous half-truth that leaves people comfortable on their way to destruction.

What did David Wilkerson teach?

"God hates the lukewarm gospel of half-truths that is now spreading over the globe. This gospel ignores the whole counsel of God."

Speaker: David Wilkerson

Source: Times Square Church sermon

What does Scripture confirm?

Revelation 3:15-16

"I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth."

NKJV

Christ's response to lukewarmness is not tolerance — it is revulsion. A lukewarm gospel produces lukewarm believers whom Christ threatens to reject entirely.

Luke 9:23

"Then He said to them all, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.'"

NKJV

The true gospel demands daily self-denial and cross-bearing. Any 'gospel' that omits this cost is not the gospel Jesus preached — it is the half-truth Wilkerson warns against.

Acts 20:27

"For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God."

NKJV

Paul's standard was the WHOLE counsel of God — not just the popular parts. Faithful preaching includes sin, judgment, repentance, holiness, and sacrifice alongside grace and love.