My Lips Were Near, But My Heart Was Not

In my religious times I was much like how the young Saul was. Zealous, “blameless” or very self-righteous. When I would go to worship, I’d be the one standing out the most. Hands in the air, singing with all my heart, you get the idea. Despite how genuine I was, “My lips were near, but my heart was not.”

Pharisee Hearts

The Lord Jesus during His earthly ministry rebuked the Pharisees and said the prophesy of Isiah was fulfilled because of them. “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts is far from Me” (Matt. 15:6-8)

A Pharisee heart or a religious heart is this very concept. Mouths and lips that praise, sing, and boast about God, but hearts that do not know God or draw near to Him. I know this for fact, even in my “sincerity” I did not have a heart that knew God, or was close to Him. I was even the one who would judgmentally observe others and see this very verse be true to others! But, despite what I thought, I didn’t know the reality of my heart in it’s sinful nature.

You Need A New Heart To Be Near

The only way any heart can be near to God is being born-again in Christ. A heart that is in bondage to the fallen-spirit, is still under the power of Satan. It’s a heart “desperately wicked.” Even the apparent “good” the heart may do, it’s still in bondage to deceit and error.

This was why only my lips and mouth during my times as a “Pharisee” could draw near to God. No matter how hard I tried, my heart remained far off.

Self-Praise Motivated

The “God” I knew (which was not really God) and worshiped I truly believed by my efforts I would earn special favor. I did not find this to be true at the time, but now I see. I see, that I really was all about my self. The “God” I zealously served, and everything I did was for MYSELF.

Many people would compliment me, and I would say “Praise God.” Thinking I’d glorify Him, but my heart did not meet those words. Simply, because “God” was not involved, it was ME. So, in all my praise it was all about praising my SELF!

A New Heart Near God

Once the Holy Spirit worked salvation in me by means of the faith of God given to me to believe in the Gospel, I received a new spirit and a new heart. A “heart of flesh” with the Law written on it. I remember first thinking, “I actually KNOW God.” Part of knowing God is being NEAR to Him.

At the Cross is when I truly felt MY SEPARATED DISTANT HEART from God. I didn’t ever realize it until then. My stony heart was HUMBLED!

Are You Near?

Part of the reality check our hearts need is, Are they near to God IN TRUTH? In truth specifically means a heart being made new by means of the rebirth in Christ.

Finding out your hearts true distance before God, is a step to possibly closing that distance. EXAMINE YOUR SALVATION with our ministry, to make sure your heart is in the right place!