Examine yourselves, seeing whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.

— 2 Corinthians 13:5

When I told a lady in the church that my sermon was going to be on self-examination, she said, “Oh, that’s going to hurt!” Well, lassies and laddies, I assure you that I come not to hurt you, but to help you, and if you cannot stand the interrogation of a mere mortal like me, how will you do in that great day when you are compelled to stand before the Great Assize of God? If you cannot stand the probing finger of your own conscience, how will you stand the shafts of the divine inquisition?

We need to examine ourselves and prove ourselves. We need to examine our hearts and minds. Do we live lives worthy of our calling? Have we allowed sin into our lives? Have we been unkind to anyone? Are we serving the Lord? Is there fruit in our lives?

May we pray along with David in Psalm 139: Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way [a paraphrase].

Question to ponder:
Is there a difference between God’s Spirit examining our lives and self-examination?