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When was the last time you took a long, hard look at yourself? I don’t mean when was the last time you admired yourself in front of your mirror! No, the question is when was the last time you deeply considered who you are in matters of character, behavior, and thought?
Unfortunately for many of us, the idea of a self-examination that would focus on our behaviors, habits, motivations, and intents of our hearts is a highly frightening experience! We are not born with a natural desire to want to take stock of who and what we really are, or to make changes in our lives even for our benefit. In fact, the opposite is true. We have a natural desire to hold on to who we are and to what we have become and to resist change forcefully.
However, through the love and grace of our Heavenly Father and His Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and through the power of the Holy Spirit, it is possible to experience true repentance which is a complete change of our life’s direction. And, it is God who will provide us with the courage and strength to examine ourselves (2 Timothy 1:7) in preparation for that change.
A Spiritual Mirror
We are told in James 1:22-25, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work this one will be blessed in what he does.
We can determine from these Scriptures that God’s “perfect law of liberty” is a kind of mirror for us to use, so we are not forgetful in the things God would have us to do. We must understand though, that this “perfect law of liberty” is not just the Ten Commandments, but is the entirety of the Word of God which instructs us in God’s way of life, and leads us to real liberty and deliverance from spiritual bondage.
If we are willing to look intently into God’s spiritual mirror, our true nature can be reflected back to us. Undoubtedly we will see many things that need changing. This can be an unnerving experience, especially when we are new Christians.
We can be thankful God does not expect us to change everything all at once. He is “longsuffering” toward us (2 Peter 3:9). However, God does desire that we be willing to allow Him to be our Master Potter, and to mold and shape us into the new creation He wishes us to be (Isaiah 64:8).
An Instruction to Examine Ourselves
We read in 2 Corinthians13:5, Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? –– unless you indeed are disqualified. We should notice the purpose of the examination is to see whether we are “in the faith.” The question is not whether we have faith, but rather, whether we are living within the faith. In other words, are we faithfully living God’s way of life? Are we following all His laws and instructions, as revealed to us in the pages of the Bible? And, more importantly, is our purpose for doing so from a right motivation?
Can we see evidence of Jesus Christ living His life in us through the Holy Spirit which we received following our baptism and the laying on of hands (Galatians 2:20)? We are told to “test” ourselves. One way we do this is by comparing ourselves to the supreme example of Jesus Christ. (It is very helpful to study the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John several times a year.) And, we should look closely at the instructions given to us by God’s prophets and apostles and see how we are measuring up.
If we fail to test ourselves or if we fail to make any and all necessary changes, we are told we could be considered “disqualified.” In other words, we could be in danger of losing our salvation. Notice what the Apostle Paul said about himself, But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified (1 Corinthians 9:27).
A Specific Instruction Before Passover
Paul gave specific instructions to the Church of God in 1 Corinthians 11:20-34 concerning how members of the Body of Christ were to examine themselves before the annual Passover. In this New Testament Passover observance which utilized the new symbols of the bread and wine instituted by Jesus Christ on the night of His betrayal, Paul said, But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment of himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep (verses 28-29).
This passage of Scripture is often referred to in sermons prior to Passover, and it is vital for Christians to understand what is being said here. Certainly, it is clear we are told to “examine” ourselves. This is not a suggestion, it is a specific instruction! We are told those who have not examined themselves and are therefore taking of the bread and wine of the Passover service in an “unworthy manner,” bring judgment upon themselves. The judgment flows from not discerning “the Lord’s body” (the Body of Christ).
What is the meaning of “the Lord’s body” in this context? Of course, these verses (1 Corinthians 11:28-29) refer to the physical flesh and blood Body of Jesus. But, “the Lord’s body” also has a spiritual meaning. The context of these verses, along with many other passages of Scripture, indicate a reference to the entire Body of believers, the Church of God.
If we are careless in our worship, and if we count the sacrifice of Jesus Christ as a common thing, our own behavior can weaken the entire Body of Christ (the Church). We can then understand because of this lack of discernment of the needs of the Church and how our actions affect others, many in the Body of Christ are weak and sick (physically and spiritually), and many have died. In other words, we can be doing spiritual damage to each other instead of being a blessing.
Then, in verses 31-32 Paul says, But if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. The understanding is clear. We need to exercise godly judgment on ourselves. But if we do not, then God will judge us and will then bring correction into our lives for our own benefit, “that we may not be condemned with the world.” However, we can clearly see there is another reason God chastens us. It is so the Body of Christ (the Church of God) becomes stronger, to no longer be spiritually weak (feeble, impotent, without strength) or sick. It is so the entire Body will become perfected as each individual Christian becomes perfected (Matthew 5:48, Revelation 3:12).
Love Toward God and Love Toward Neighbor
The verses in 1 Corinthians offer very strong motivation for us to examine ourselves. Do we want to be a blessing to our spiritual brethren and our physical families? Is it possible that sometimes we really do not care whether our actions or attitudes cause harm to those we should be loving? Do we want to be spiritually strong so we can serve and uplift others, or are we content with being served? Are we really thankful for our Savior’s supreme sacrifice, and do we deeply appreciate and recognize the love our Father in heaven has for us? If so, are we willing to examine ourselves, and with God’s help, make necessary changes? Are we willing to change so our lives can be a blessing to others, and so we bring praise, glory, and honor to God’s Holy Name? Are we willing to be “living sacrifices” to God (Romans 12:1)?
We need to approach this goal of self-examination based on a foundational motivation that stems from a love for our brethren and families, and love for our Savior and our Heavenly Father.
The Right Attitude
As true believers study the Bible and grow in grace and knowledge, they undoubtedly make changes in how they live from day to day. Have you ever asked yourself WHY you want to live a Christian life? Or, if you are one who has recently found yourself drawn to God and are a spiritual babe, have you asked yourself WHY you may want to become a disciple of Jesus Christ, be baptized, receive the Holy Spirit, and become a begotten son of God? Why would you be willing to be out of step with the rest of the world? Why would you want to start keeping the Ten Commandments and many others of God’s laws, statutes, and judgments as you learn about them? Certainly, if you are a babe in Christ then the idea of self examination will probably seem quite foreign to you and maybe a bit confusing. Yet, as we have seen, it is a necessary, vital, and commanded facet of a Christian’s life.
If we were to ask a handful of people the same questions covered in the paragraph above, we would probably receive quite a few different answers. But is that the way it should be? Or should we all have the same basic answers?
Having the same basic answers is related to understanding WHY Jesus was willing to suffer horrible things at the hands of men to complete the job He was sent to do. Consider for a moment that His attitude and His motivation for serving His Heavenly Father and for His being willing to give up His very life should also be our motivation and our attitude. Jesus is our Example. We are to become like the Father and the Son (John 17).
Why was Jesus obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8)? The simple answer was that He was able to love the Father with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength (Matthew 22:37-38, Deuteronomy 6:5-6). And He loved His neighbor as Himself (Matthew 22:39-40, Leviticus 19:18). Jesus’ heart was right.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit and because of Christ’s complete love of the Father, nothing, absolutely nothing, was able to take His focus off of the Father and from His mission to be mankind’s Savior and Messiah. Do we follow God’s instructions and commands in the Bible, because we want to please God, and because we really LOVE the Father and the Son? This becomes the essential question! Or, is our motivation to escape trouble or punishment, or to get something from God?
If we can look honestly at ourselves and sincerely know we are surrendering our will to God, if we know we are living God’s way of life, and if we know we are worshiping Him in the total integrity of our heart because we are thankful and really love Him, then we can examine ourselves with the right attitude and from a proper motivation. However, if our attitude and motivation is wrong, then our self-examination will not bear much fruit.
What Do We Look For?
Do we look at things? In other words, do we carry around a mental list with one column containing those bad things we used to do when we were of the world, and with a second column containing the good things we now do as Christians? Do we then say, “I’m a pretty good Christian” if my list of good is longer than the list of bad, and if the list of the good is growing longer each year. Is that how God would like us to examine ourselves? What is God looking for?
Is it possible our hearts are deceiving us? The prophet Jeremiah said, The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9) Do WE know our own heart?
An examination of ourselves requires more than comparing a list of what we used to do versus what we do now. Rather, we must examine our minds and determine if we are thinking differently. Thinking differently is a good beginning toward repentance. It is not just a matter of what we are doing (or not doing). It is more accurately a matter of how we are thinking.
If we are thinking differently as we are being converted, and if we are having our minds renewed (Romans 12:2) as we are allowing the mind of Christ to reside in us (Philippians 2:5), then we will also be doing more good things. However, we could be doing more good things and less bad things even if our motivation and attitude are not correct. Yes, God is interested in what we are doing. But He is more interested in why we are doing what we are doing.
The deeper question is: Are we obeying and serving God by the “letter of the law” or are we fulfilling both the letter and the spirit of the law? Are we worshiping God both in spirit and in truth? John 4:23-24 says, But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.
Our process of self examination must involve not only looking at what we are doing by asking ourselves if we are following God’s instructions, but it must also involve an examination of our thinking or why we do what we do. We must determine if what we are doing is being done in the right attitude and from a right motivation.
A Measuring Stick
God’s Holy Scriptures are a ”lamp to our feet, and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105). We are told in James 1: 22 to be “doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” The Apostle James also says in James 2:22, 24, Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Emphasis is placed on being active Christians! We are to be doing and working along with having faith in order that we are justified before God. James drives the point home in verse 26, For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. Strong words, those!
Paul exhorts the Church in Titus 3:14, And let our people also learn to maintain good works to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful. Throughout God’s Word we find the writers were inspired to write down many instructions for us to follow. Certainly, we understand we have been given God’s Ten Commandments to live by. But the Bible contains literally hundreds of other commands and instructions which our Heavenly Father also expects us to follow.
God’s instructions assist us in maintaining good works, so we become fruitful disciples of Jesus Christ, as Paul explained (Titus 3:14). God also knows how we think. After all, He designed us, and He knows we are forgetful. Paul exhorts us regarding our memories in Hebrews 13:16, But do not forget [emphasis ours] to do good and share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.
These instructions and exhortations help us remember what it is God would have us to do. They give us a yard stick by which to measure ourselves. We must remember though that while we examine ourselves and use God’s yard stick of Biblical instructions, we must be conscious of the fact it is our attitude and motivation coupled with our works and actions that truly determine if we are being led by the Holy Spirit, and thus are “sons of God” (Romans 8:5, 6, 14).
Works done from a wrong motivation can be described as “dead works.” Putting away dead works (Hebrews 6:1) is central to Christianity. One of the “elementary principles of Christ” is “repentance from dead works” (Hebrews 6:1). It is one of the first things new Christians are to understand when they receive the Holy Spirit and begin their life long walk with their Savior.
Rephrasing Instructions as Questions
To assist you in your self examination, there is a select group of Scriptures provided at the conclusion of this article. All of these verses have been rephrased as questions. Although these verses are a cross section of instructions given to us in the New Testament, the same format can be used with any Scripture where instructions are given. The procedure of rephrasing verses into personal questions allows the human mind to process the words in a special manner.
It is well known in psychology, education, sales and other disciplines that questions affect the mind differently than do statements. Consider the following illustration: A person who is learning skydiving would have a teacher who has instructed many necessary things, including things like, check your parachute, check this, check that, avoid this, do that, and so on. Asking questions about preparation and the vital instructions allows the human mind to process the important information so the skydiving experience is a safe one. People ask questions, don’t we? We make for ourselves a check list. “Have I done this?” “Did I check that?” And on it goes. This process helps people to internalize and remember the instructions that have been given.
Hopefully, the reader will find this process of rephrasing instructions as questions a useful tool to help as they follow God’s command to examine ourselves. And, as each individual is perfected, so is the Body of Christ perfected. Although we are individuals, we make up a collective whole. We are the begotten children of God.
Through self-examination that leads to repentance, confession, forgiveness, and spiritual growth, we will be converted or transformed and able to love the LORD our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. It is THE method used by God through His Holy Spirit that enables us to live godly lives from a motivation of love.
Let Us Now Examine Ourselves
To utilize the following verses effectively, simply read the rephrased question first, then read the instructional verse, and then reread the question. This will help you internalize these Scriptures. God desires that we hold up His Word as a spiritual mirror. Allow the words into your heart with the help and guidance of God’s Holy Spirit.
Some questions are from an individual perspective (“Do I,” or “Am I”). Others will be worded from a congregational perspective (“Do we,” or “Are we”). Primarily these Scriptures are from the books of Colossians, Philippians, Ephesians, and Galatians.
Throughout our self examination, we need to remember it is the attitude and motivation behind our good works and obedience to God that is most important to Him. Our attitude and motivation are an important way God comes to know whether or not we are truly repentant and being converted, and whether our minds are truly being renewed.
May the Almighty, Loving, Merciful, Everliving God Who gives us life and breath, encourage and guide us all as we examine ourselves and apply His Words of life in our walk with him. If we can assist your self-examination, please contact us.
Selected Scriptures
Ephesians 4:1-3
Do I walk worthy of the calling with which I was called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with others in love, and am I endeavoring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace?
Ephesians 4:22-24
Have I put off, concerning my former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts? Am I renewed in the spirit of my mind? And, have I put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness?
Ephesians 4:25-27
Have I put away lying, and do I speak truth with my neighbor? For we are members of one another. When I am angry, do I choose not to sin by not letting the sun go down on my wrath, and by not giving place (in my spirit) to the devil?
Ephesians 4:28
If I have stolen, do I steal no longer, but rather, do I labor, working with my hands what is good, that I may have something to give him who has need?
Ephesians 4:29-30
Does no corrupt word proceed out of my mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers? And, do I avoid grieving the Holy Spirit, by whom I was sealed for the day of redemption?
Ephesians 4:30
Am I putting away from me all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking, with all malice?
Ephesians 4:31
Are we kind to one another, tenderhearted, and do we forgive one another, even as God in Christ forgave us?
Ephesians 5: 1-2
Are we imitators of God as dear children? And do we walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling aroma?
Ephesians 5:3-4
As is fitting for saints, do we not let it even be named among us: fornication, and all unrighteousness or covetousness, neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting; but rather giving of thanks?
Ephesians 5:11
Am I careful to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather, do I expose them?
Ephesians 5:15-17
Are we making sure we are walking circumspectly, not as fools, but as those who are wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil? And, do we endeavor to not be unwise, but rather to understand what is the will of the Lord?
Ephesians 5:18-20
Are we careful not to be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but to be filed with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in our hearts to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another in the fear of God?
Ephesians 6:10-18
Am I striving to be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might? Do I daily put on the whole armor of God, that I may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil? Do I understand I do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places? Am I diligent to take up the whole armor of God, that I may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand? Do I gird my waist with truth; put on the breastplate of righteousness; shod my feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; and above all, take the shield of faith which I will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one? And, do I put on the helmet of salvation and take up the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints?
Galatians 6:1-3
Do I, as one who is spiritual, when I see a man who is overtaken in any fault, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering myself lest I also be tempted? Do I bear other’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ? Do I know not to think of myself as something, when I am really nothing, so I do not deceive myself?
Galatians 6:9-10
Are we striving not to grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart? And, as we have opportunity, are we doing good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith?
Philippians 2:1-4
Are we being like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind? Are we careful to let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind, do we esteem others better than ourselves? Do we look out not only or our own interests, but also for the interest of others?
Philippians 2:5-8
Are we letting the mind be in us which was also in Christ Jesus? Who made Himself of no reputation, and took the form of a bondservant, and having come in the likeness of men, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Philippians 2:12-13
Am I working out my own salvation with fear and trembling? For it is God who works in me both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
Philippians 2:14-16
Do I do all things without complaining and disputing, that I may become blameless and harmless, a child of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom I shine as a light in the world, as I hold fast to the word of life?
Philippians 3:13-15
Am I, as my mind matures, forgetting those things which are behind, but rather reaching forward to those things which are ahead, and pressing toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus?
Philippians 4:4-8
Do I always rejoice in the Lord? Is my gentleness known to all men? Because the Lord is at hand. Am I anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, do I let my requests be made known to God? So the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard my heart and mind through Christ Jesus. And, am I diligent to meditate on whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy?
Philippians 4:11-13
Have I learned that in whatever state I am in to be content? Have I learned how to live both humbly and to live in prosperity? Do I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me?
Colossians 2:20-23
Do I subject myself to regulations, the commandments and doctrines of men, which have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but which are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh?
Colossians 2:2-3
Have I set my mind on things above, and not on things on the earth? For I have died, and my life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:5-8
Am I putting to death what is earthly in me: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry? Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience. Am I being diligent to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, and filthy language out of my mouth?
Colossians 3:12-14
Are we, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, putting on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, and longsuffering? Are we bearing with one another and forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave us? And above all these, have we put on love, which is the bond of perfection?
Colossians 3:15-17
Are we letting the peace of God rule in our hearts, to which we were called in one body; and are we thankful? Are we letting the word of Christ dwell in us richly in all wisdom; and are we teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, while singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord? And whatever we are doing in word or in deed, are we doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him?
Colossians 3:23-24
Whatever I do, am I doing it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men? Knowing that from the Lord I will receive of the inheritance; for I serve the Lord Christ.
Colossians 4:2-3
Am I continuing earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; praying also for the ministry that God would open to the Church a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ?
Colossians 4:5-6
Do I walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time? Is my speech always spoken with grace, seasoned with salt, that I may know how I am to answer each one?