2. Examine Yourselves

Step 2. Examine Yourselves

There is no communion with God, no coming closer to Him, without first being cleansed from the impurity of sin. We must examine ourselves before we partake in the Holy Communion and eat of the bread and drink of the cup in remembrance of Jesus (1 Corinthians 11:28-30). Why do we have to examine ourselves? According to the Scripture, failure to examine ourselves properly leads to weakness, sickness, and even death. However, If we judge ourselves, we would not come under judgment (1 Corinthians 11:31). 

What are we to examine or, as the  Apostle Paul said, to judge? We must examine every area of life—from our relationships to our attitudes toward God and others. We must judge every character trait—from thoughts and feelings to flaws and habits. A thorough examination is essential to the healing from traumatic events. In addition to examining attitudes and behavior, there is still another test, an ultimate test, the  Apostle Paul urges us to take. 

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you— unless, of course, you fail the test? (2 Corinthians 13:5)

The  Apostle Paul warns bluntly, 

If anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. (Romans 8:9b)

Those to whom Paul writes are all believers in Christ. They have been saved and have experienced the redemptive power of the cross. Paul’s call for examination is for you today. What test, you may ask, would authenticate the presence of the Spirit of Christ within? The passing mark is the presence of the fruit of the Spirit:

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22)   

Examination weighs up the believers’ character against the presence of the fruit of the Spirit. Everything we build through our efforts is marked by unrest. Everything God builds is distinguishable by His seal of peace. Achievements and riches leave us unfulfilled, thus steering our appetites for more and more of the same, creating an upward spiral of unquenchable desires built on our wants and the effort to satisfy them. The spiral, though, never seems high or strong enough. It demands constant fueling for building consequent levels, leaving us dissatisfied and setting us up for new pursuits for fulfillment.

This is a sad displacement of the only true source that can satisfy the soul's deep longing. As a result, the soul remains malnourished, which ultimately leads to spiritual illness, an inability to commune with God. True satisfaction comes from the peace Jesus imparts in the heart of the believer. The author of the Hebrews instructs to pursue this divine peace and find rest for our souls.

There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from His. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest. (Hebrews 4:9-11) 

 Apostle Paul talks about his own unrest, 

I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. (Romans 7:23) 

How do I find rest and peace? Crucify the areas of unrest on the cross. By dying to the old nature in Jesus, we also rise in Him, transformed and renewed into His likeness. Death on the cross demolishes the power of the areas of unrest over the believers’ lives. Resurrection transforms these areas into the likeness of Christ. It is a gain for Eternity! 

Before we take something to the cross, however, we have to identify it. This is the process of self-examination. As with everything else, even our examination is ineffective without God’s involvement. God brings the secret thoughts and attitudes of our hearts out of darkness and into His light. The Lord tests the heart and is pleased with integrity (1 Chronicles 29:17a). The deep motives of our thoughts, desires, and intentions are distorted even for us. Knowing this, King David cried out to God, 

Search me, Oh God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. (Psalms 139:23)

King David’s prayer should also be our prayer, inviting the Holy Spirit to participate in this crucial step of the healing process. 

Prayer For The Guidance of The Holy Spirit 

Spirit of the Living God, come and descend on me. Come and fill me up. I invite You to minister to me. I desire Your presence. Fill up my heart with Your holy fire. Shine on me Your holy light. Search me and bring to my mind areas of my life that have not yet come into conformity with the Kingdom of God. Make me aware of the flaws of my character that are still holding me a prisoner to sin. Examine the aches of my heart and make me see the roots that cause them. I surrender all to You, Lord Jesus. Search me and know me. Give me strength to bring to Your cross the sinful practices of my old self. I don’t want any part of me left to slavery; I want the life of freedom I have in You, Lord Jesus. Amen!