Recently I heard a pastor ask the question, “Are you a thermometer Christian or a thermostat Christian?” I had to listen for a couple minutes to get the gist of his inquiry. As he explained, many Christians often lean more toward being a “thermometer” Christian than a “thermostat” Christian in that on any given day, they register with the ebb and flow of the good times and the bad times. In other words, if the day is going well, they are upbeat and have a good attitude, and folks enjoy being around them. However, without notice, the weather can change causing upheaval and chaos in their lives as they plummet in their attitude and appearance, creating a caustic and toxic environment where few want to be around them; and if things change too drastically in the other direction, it takes a longer period of time for adjustment. This type of Christian does not provide any calming effect to others during their respective times of crisis; for they only see their own dilemmas.
As I considered the “thermometer” Christian, I was reminded how the apostle Paul wrote to the church of Corinth when he stated in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3,
“And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?”
The root cause here was that many members in this church had not fully grasped the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17,
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
Likewise, they were direct reflections of Hebrews 5:12-13,
“For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.”
Though they like to think of themselves as “thermostat” Christians, “thermometer” Christians most often add angst to a situation rather than bringing a solution. And consequently, the “thermometer” Christian is often guilty of being condescending and negative toward others.
The “thermostat” Christian, on the other hand, brings forth a constant to their environment. Though they too experience weather changes in their lives, they are not controlled by their environment; for they are able to control their attitude and behavior regardless of the ebb and flow of the good times and the bad times. In other words, the “thermostat” Christian has gotten a grasp of the words found in Romans 8:28,
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.”
But to be honest, grasping this understanding, followed by living in the understanding does not occur over night. It requires going through the trials of our faith as stated in 1 Peter 1:6-9,
“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
James 1:2-5 states,
“My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
To be a “thermostat” Christian requires one to find the peace that passes all understanding in the depths of their heart – which can only come by walking in the steps of Jesus Christ. So, what type of Christian are you, “thermometer” or “thermostat”?
