A common challenge for the evangelical church

The issue with the typical evangelical church is they have the right form but are often missing substance; the right motivation. There is a lot directed toward the head (right doctrine/ information) and the will (doing the "right" thing) but not the heart.

Given our natural inclination to be our own god (the essence of our original and ongoing rebellion), we must be ever-vigilant over our hearts. After all, we are cautioned that the heart is desperately sick (or wicked) ... who can know it. 

Because our hearts are still fallen (even as his children) we are naturally inclined to focus on form (law/commands/right behavior) and lose sight of the substance that brings about that form/fruit. Therefore, many efforts (churches, schools, ministries, etc.) start out well but only decline and deteriorate into a shell of their original self i.e. they/we lose sight of the good heart and passion that birthed and drove the action/behavior/ministry to begin with, like the Ephesian church in revelation, we lose sight of our 1st love.

This is also why unbelievers can hide in and be a part of a church and never experience saving faith. They can hide behind "right-thinking" and "right-doing" without ever looking at their heart. They hide behind "correct doctrine" and "righteous" behavior and find comfort and a false sense of security in these instead of depending on the gift of righteousness God provides for us only in and through Christ. As a result, they can do and say all the "right" things for the wrong reasons. 

Possibly one of the scariest passages in all the bible is...

22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’

The prescribed thinking and behavior of a church may be perfectly spot on but our hearts are so rebellious and so inclined and committed to being our god that we can and often do use the best things (even the very commandments of God) for the wrong reasons and miss the importance and necessity of the gospel completely i.e. the grace and love of God.

Right doctrine and "right behavior" do not automatically indicate a right (righteous) heart.

To act without total trust and dependence on the Father and passionate love for Him can be an act merely of the will and not of the heart i.e. not out of love for God. Actions that only engage the will and not the heart lead to pride and arrogance and away from humility. This results in the classic, "do as I say, not as I do" approach to others i.e. the hypocrisy that often plagues otherwise "good" evangelical churches. 

This also eventually leads to burnout and can lead to disillusionment with the church and unfortunately sometimes even with God. For more discussion on this point, click here. 

In truth we are to engage all three; the heart, the head, and the will. But the last two can only be pursued correctly to the degree the heart is first engaged properly and fully.

Mat 15:8  "'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me; 

1Sam 15:22  And Samuel said, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen than the fat of rams. 

For more discussion on the difference between head and heart knowledge click here.