We Are Called To Examine Ourselves

The Bible teaches us to examine ourselves concerning others with humility, love, and respect.

This involves assessing whether our life reflects the teachings of Jesus. 2 Corinthians 13:5 commands believers to “examine yourselves to see whether you are in faith.” This can be done by considering our actions and reliance on Jesus, and the fruit of the Spirit, which are love, joy, and patience in our lives.

The purpose is to gain assurance, identify areas that need growth, and ensure our faith is authentic. This leads to transformation rather than self-deception.

David in Psalm 139:23-24 asks God to, “Search me, O God, and know my heart. Try me and know my anxious thoughts. And see if there by any hurtful way in me, and lead me in the everlasting way.” This shows a dependence on God to reveal our own sin and motives, as we may not see them ourselves.

The Apostle Paul connects self-examination with participating in the Lord’s Supper (Communion) stating in 1 Corinthians 11:28, “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread, and drink of the cup.”

There are some questions I ask myself that I find important for self examination:

• Are you trusting in Jesus alone? Examine if your faith and salvation are based on who Jesus is or what he has done, not on our own efforts or perceiving good deeds.

• Do you see the fruit of the Spirit? Consider if you are growing in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23).

• Is your prayer life genuine? Are you praying with sincerity, or is there bitterness, envy, or evil in your heart.

• Are you living out what you believe? Compare your actions to your beliefs. Are you putting your faith into action, or are you simply hearing the Word without doing it?

• Are you relying on God’s power? Recognize that transformation is not solely your own effort but a work of the Holy Spirit. Are you depending on Him to change you?

There are also some things to avoid when we examine ourselves.

• Unhealthy introspection. Avoid becoming overly self focused to the point of despair or self-pity. Do not fall into thinking “I’m failing at everything” or my growth is hopeless.

• Making self-improvement goal. The goal here isn’t self improvement towards its own sake, but the purpose of being more like Jesus and glorifying God. The focus should be on Him, not on ourselves.

• Focusing only on feelings. Self examination should not be based on feelings alone, as it can be unreliable. Instead, look to the unchanging truth of God’s Word.