An attack is being made on people to stop them from praying in the name of Jesus. Now I read of someone saying people should not ask Jesus into their hearts. I wonder if there is some correlation between the two phenomena. Isn’t Satan inspiring both?
I came across this article, “Ten Reasons to Not Ask Jesus into Your Heart,” which struck me as contrary to the Bible and I had to comment on it. I reproduce the content of the article below and add my comments.
“The music weeps, the preacher pleads, “Give your heart to Jesus. You have a God shaped hole in your heart and only Jesus can fill it.” Dozens, hundreds or thousands of people who want to get their spiritual life on track make their way to the altar. They ask Jesus into their heart.
“Cut to three months later. Nobody has seen our new convert in church. The follow up committee calls him and encourages him to attend a Bible study, but to no avail. We label him a backslider and get ready for the next outreach event.”
Sam’s comment: Notice that in paragraph one, “Dozens, hundreds, or thousands of people …” are being mentioned while in paragraph two, “our new convert,” is being referred to. It appears to be assumed that the other thousands are just like this one new convert. Is it correct to label someone as a backslider because they do not come to our events after conversion? Is it correct to assume that everyone is like this one person?
“Telling someone to ask Jesus into their hearts has a very typical result, backsliding. The Bible says that a person who is soundly saved puts his hand to the plow and does not look back because he is fit for service. In other words, a true convert cannot backslide. If a person backslides, he never slid forward in the first place. “If any man is in Christ, he is a new creation.” (II Cor.5) No backsliding there.””
Sam’s comment: The writer seems to take the position that once a person is a Christian; that person never sins again. But Christians do sin. Ecclesiastes 7:20: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” I John 1:8-10: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” I John 2:1, 2: “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” It must be remembered that John is writing to Christians in these passages. He refers to himself also by using the word we in this passage.
“Brace yourself for this one: with very few if any exceptions, anyone who asked Jesus into their hearts to be saved…is not. If you asked Jesus into your heart because you were told that is what you have to do to become a Christian, you were mis-informed.”
Sam’s comment: Notice that the writer is saying that some are saved by asking Jesus into their hearts. I do not understand why all are not saved. Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” John 6:37: “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.” This contradiction of scripture does not make sense.
“If you have ever told someone to ask Jesus into their heart (like I have), you produced a false convert. Here is why.”
Sam’s Comments: Doesn’t God answer the sinner’s prayer? Luke 11:9-13: “And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you. For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
The charge of producing false converts is a serious charge and one that should be considered a possibility and avoidance of it made. A false convert is really a non-convert and therefore still lost. God does not look at people as humans see each other. God looks at the heart while man looks on the outward appearance. God told this to the Prophet Samuel in I Samuel 16:7: “But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.”
It may be possible for a person to go through the actions of inviting Jesus into their heart but not mean it. God knows the true intention of the heart. Jesus made this comment in Mark 7:6-7: “He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” A couple commandments of men are that of being baptized for salvation or doing good works for salvation. Jesus said that you must become as little children to be saved. Luke 18:16, 17: “But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God kingdom of God
“1. It is not in the Bible.There is not a single verse that even hints we should say a prayer inviting Jesus into our hearts.”
Sam’s comments: The Apostle Paul prayed that Jesus would dwell in people’s hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:17a “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith;” If Paul can pray it for people why can’t a sinner pray for Jesus to dwell in his heart. If the person didn’t have faith he wouldn’t pray."
“The context tells us that the door Jesus is knocking on is the door of the church, not the human heart. Jesus is not knocking to enter someone’s heart but to have fellowship with His church.”
Sam’s comments: Revelation 3:20 is talking about the individual. If as the writer of the thesis contends that it is the church Jesus is referring to a single individual. Notice the scripture says, “any man”. Revelation 3:20 “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.” This is a singular individual. Suppose it is the church. What is the church but individuals. We read this when Saul of Tarsus
“Why not our car door? How do we know he isn’t knocking on our foot? To suggest that he is knocking on the door of our heart is superimposing a meaning on the text that simply does not exist.”
Sam’s comment: This is nonsense! Who better to be in your heart than Jesus? Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
“The Bible does not instruct us to ask Jesus into our heart. This alone should resolve the issue, nevertheless, here are nine more reasons.”
Sam’s comments: As stated earlier, the Apostle Paul prayed that Jesus would dwell in the Ephesians hearts by faith (Ephesians 3:17). Jesus must then dwell in people’s hearts by faith. Thus, when we read that Jesus is knocking on the door waiting to be invited in: where must the door be if not to the heart.
“2. Asking Jesus into your heart is a saying that makes no sense.What does it mean to ask Jesus into your heart? If I say the right incantation will He somehow enter my heart? Is it literal? Does He reside in the upper or lower ventricle? Is this a metaphysical experience? Is it figurative? If it is, what exactly does it mean? While I am certain that most adults cannot articulate its meaning, I am certain that no child can explain it. Pastor Dennis Rokser reminds us that little children think literally and can easily be confused (or frightened) at the prospect of asking Jesus into their heart.”
Sam’s comments: a. Pastor Dennis Rokser may be correct in saying that children think literally but in saying they are frightened at the prospect of having Jesus in their heart is not correct. As a child I sang the song “Into My Heart Lord Jesus” with other children and we were never frightened. b. The heart in scripture is not the same as the heart in medical science. It is both physical and non-physical. It is your mind which would be a combination of your brain, soul, and spirit. Upon death it would be the soul. Solomon writes that the spirit goes back to God ( Ecclesiastes 12:7).
A paralytic man is let down through the roof in front of Jesus and Jesus seeing their faith says, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” To this the scribes say within themselves, “This man blasphemeth. Who can forgive sins but God alone.” Knowing their thoughts Jesus says, “Why do you think evil in your hearts.” Matthew 9:1-8; Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26 This shows that the heart is where a person does their thinking.God has two basic dwelling places. One place is everywhere. Guess where the other place is. Isaiah 57:15 “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.”
Jesus dwells in our hearts by faith. Ephesians 3:17a “That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.” c. Who else shall we invite into our hearts. There is salvation in none other. Acts 4:12 “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Sam’s comments: Yes, repentance is necessary for salvation. We can see this in Luke 24:46, 47 “And (Jesus) said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem
"Now I ask you: where was the repentance of the paralytic? Being forgiven he was saved: wasn’t he? His coming to Jesus was an act of repentance. When people go forward at an alter call that also is also an act of repentance. In a Billy Graham film people go forward crying. These, I tell you, are tears of joy because the people were saved on the way to the alter. They are so happy they cry. Their burden of sin is gone.“
4. In order to be saved, a man must trust in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).
Asking Jesus into your heart leaves out the requirement of faith.”
Asking Jesus into your heart leaves out the requirement of faith.”
Sam’s comment: Martin Luther said, “By faith alone.” I was told by a Roman Catholic Priest once that the Catholic Church had concluded that Martin Luther was correct. Scripture says, “The just shall live by faith” (Galatians 3:11b), “the just shall live by his faith” (Habakkuk 2:4). Jesus said, as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness so must the Son of man be lifted up. When the serpent was lifted up whoever had been bitten by serpents and looked at the serpent on the pole was healed. This required repentance and faith. Asking Jesus into your heart; doesn’t that require faith?
“5. The person who wrongly believes they are saved will have a false sense of security. Millions of people who sincerely, but wrongly, asked Jesus into their hearts think they are saved but struggle to feel secure. They live in doubt and fear because they do not have the Holy Spirit giving them assurance of salvation.”
Sam’s comment: At one time I was having a problem with assurance of salvation. I heard this voice say, He doesn’t know if he is lost or saved; sending him to hell. I decided I needed to do something so I started reading all the verses on salvation in the Holy Bible that I could find. As I did my faith grew and my assurance of salvation came back. A person with a false sense of security will think they are saved by some other way than by faith in Jesus Christ.
“6. The person who asks Jesus into his heart will likely end up inoculated, bitter and backslidden. Because he did not get saved by reciting a formulaic prayer, he will grow disillusioned with Jesus, the Bible, church and fellow believers. His latter end will be worse than the first.”
Sam’s comment: Is asking Jesus into one’s heart always a ritualiostic prayer for which God doesn’t answer. Scripture says, Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Isn’t Jesus the name of the Lord? Doesn’t scripture say to call on Him? The charge is being made that God does not answer with salvation the person who calls on Him. Isn’t Jesus’ name also Emmanuel which means God with us?
Jesus spoke: Luke 18:9-17 “And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican. I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted. And they brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God kingdom of God
We see in this that the person who did not humble himself before God did not get saved though he thought he was saved. The person who realized his need was saved. A person needs child like faith.
Sam’s comments: God is not robed of His sovereignty. He has made man in His own image with his own volition and will. Jesus has given us parables liking God to a shepherd with a lost sheep, a women with a lost coin, and a father with a prodigal son. Luke 15:3 “And he spake this parable unto them, saying,”
The shepherd: Luke 15:4-7 “What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
The woman: Luke 15:8-10 “Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”
The father: Luke 15:11-14 “And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.”
Luke 15:15-16 “And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.”
Luke 15:17-19 “And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.”
Luke 15:20-24 “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. Lu 15:21 And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
Luke 15:25-27 “Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.”
Luke 15:28-30 “And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and entreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.”
Luke 15:32 “It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.”
Notice that in each case: the shepherd, the woman, and the father there was rejoicing, inviting friends for a party, and a big celebration when just one lost article was found. God is not begging. He searches for that which is lost to bring it to Himself. The lost sheep He delivers from whatever problem it has and carries back to His place. In searching for the coin extra light is used. A broom is used to sweep every part of the floor. Diligence is displayed. No crevice is missed and the coin is found. With the prodigal the father waits for years looking for the return of his son.
The prodigal comes to his senses and decides he would be better off at home. He leaves his job of feeding swine and starts home. This is repentance. The son has repented before he even sees his father. The father sees the son a long ways off and runs to him. This is like an alter call; while the sinner in going down the aisle to the alter God saves them.
"8. The cause of Christ is ridiculed. Visit an atheist web-site and read the pagans who scoff, “How dare those Christians tell us how to live when they get divorced more than we do? Who are they to say homosexuals shouldn’t adopt kids when tens of thousands of orphans don’t get adopted by Christians?” Born again believers adopt kids and don’t get divorced.People who ask Jesus into their hearts do. Jesus gets mocked when false converts give Him a bad name."
Sam’s comments: If these so called false converts were not truly Christian the world would love them. Jesus said: John 15:18-23 “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hateth me hateth my Father also.”
“9. The cause of evangelism is hindered. While it is certainly easier to get church members by telling them to ask Jesus into their hearts, try pleading with someone to make today the day of their salvation. Get ready for a painful response. “Why should I become a Christian when I have seen so called Christians act worse than a pagan?” People who ask Jesus into their hearts give pagans an excuse for not repenting.”
Sam’s comments: Today is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2 “(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” A person needs to get saved because if they do not the Lake of Fire is their destiny. Revelation 20:15 “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
Sam’s comments: The writer of the article seems convinced that God does not answer prayer. Of course, prayer must be in faith. Jesus said that God does answer payer. Matthew 7:7 “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:”
Matthew 7:8-10 “For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened. Or what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent?”
Mt 7:11 “If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?”
Isn’t having Jesus in your heart a good thing? Won’t He come in if asked?
“So, what must one do to be saved? Repent and trust. (Heb.6:1) The Bible makes it clear that all men must repent and place their trust in Jesus Christ. Every man does have a “God shaped hole in their hearts,” but that hole is not contentment, fulfillment and peace. Every man’s heart problem is righteousness. Instead of preaching that Jesus fulfills, we must preach that God judges and Jesus satisfies God’s judgment…if a man will repent and place his trust in Him.
Sam’s comment: It is correct that one must repent and believe on the Lore Jesus Christ.
Romans 4:3-5 “For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
“If you are reading this and you asked Jesus into your heart, chances are good you had a spiritual buzz for a while, but now you struggle to read your Bible, tithe, attend church and pray. Perhaps you were told you would have contentment, purpose and a better life if you just ask Jesus into your heart. I am sorry, that was a lie. Please read: "25 ways to know you’re a backslider" and "Never Backslide Again"Both articles are on these sites "Your Walk" section on ttwministries.com.”
Sam’s comments: What is this spiritual buzz stuff? Yes, it is a struggle to read the Bible, tithe, attend church, and pray. Reading the Bible and prayer is what keeps me going. If I read and pray long enough I can even get happy. Often I will get so tired and discouraged I say to God, “I quit.” Then I get on my knees and pray and read the Holy Bible and after a while I am revived with new energy in my spirit and I get up and continue on.
“If you have been preaching that people should ask Jesus into their hearts, I beg you to stop immediately. You will give an account for all the souls you have led astray. Read two articles on this site that will help you present the Gospel correctly: Hell’s Best Kept Secret and How to Witness Manual ("Witness Tools" section). If you would like to do further reading on this subject, Pastor Dennis Rockser offers several other reasons why we should not ask Jesus into our hearts. For his take, visit his article at
Sam’s comments: Jeremiah 17:9-10 “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.”
Jeremiah 29:13 “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”
Mark 7:20-23 “And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
What is better than to have Jesus in your heart? If you would like Jesus in your heart a sample payer is: Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me of my evil, and come into my heart.
Scripture used is from the 1611 King James Bible on the WORD program written by Tom Hills
