We need to test our hearts because God knows when we do right things for the wrong reasons! Outwardly we can appear to be very committed to God, but inwardly we can be very far away from Him! As the Bible states: ‘All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes but the Lord weighs the spirits’ Proverbs 16:2.

1. We can make sacrifices, but still be disobedient. King Saul refused to fully obey God and forfeited his right as king (1 Samuel 13:7-14, 15:10-24).

2. We can be in church, but our hearts are elsewhere. The nation of Israel was offering sacrifices to God, but their lifestyle was a mockery (Isaiah 1:10-17).

3. We can tell Jesus we love Him, whilst not being mindful of the things of God. Jesus rebuked Peter after he rebuked Jesus about his death. (Matthew 16:21-28).

4. We can help the poor and needy, yet be greedy and unknowingly very poor ourselves. Judas stole from the communal money purse (John 12:4-8).

5. We can be very religious, but not mindful of the things of God. The Sanhedrin commanded Peter and John not teach or preach about Jesus (Acts 4:13-22).

6. We can go to church, but reject the very things God is doing! Saul, prior to conversion persecuted the believers and consented to Stephen being stoned to death (Acts 7:59-60 and Acts 8:1-3).

7. We can profess to be a disciple, whilst still being under Satan’s influence! Simon wanted to purchase the Holy Spirit ‘power’ to impart to others and was condemned for his heart was not right (Acts 8:9-24).

8. We can be praying with the wrong motives, whilst our actions make us an enemy of God's purposes! James says that friendship with the world is enmity with God (James 4:2-3).