Examination

examination - Why is it important to examine my heart? How can I do this?

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 139:23-24

Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.

Ephesians 4:22-23

THE GOAL of self-examination is not to make us feel bad about ourselves but rather for us to bring authenticity to our lives with God and others. Theologian John Calvin stated, “True wisdom consists in two things: knowledge of God and knowledge of self.” If we know a lot about ourselves but do not know much about God, we become self-absorbed. If we know a lot about God but not much about ourselves, we become spiritually proud. Knowing God and knowing ourselves are both vitally important. Growing in awareness of the self involves voluntarily testing and examining your own heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what is true about you so that you can better understand the truth about your relationships with God and others.

Prayer Prompts

Lord, examining my heart makes me feel . . .

Your Word reminds me that self-examination is important because . . .