Posts: Self-Examination

Self Examination

“If anyone in you thinks himself to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” (1 Corinthians 3:18) Those considered wise in the matters of this world, whether in foreign policy or economics or social structure, often are highly educated and complex. We accept their advice because they seem to be able to pull together diverse ideas and provide reasonable direction. In contrast, the gospel has been designed for ordinary faithful people, to whom God has promised the wisdom to make life work.

“If anyone thinks to have known anything, not yet does he know as it is necessary to know.” (1 Corinthians 8:2) Over the centuries, theological thinkers have come to a variety of conclusions. At the time, they seem to have reached some new height in faith. Problems comes when they think they have reached the pinnacle, not leaving a door open for further improvement or even reversal. We should not take ourselves too seriously but rather continue searching for better understanding through the help of the Spirit.

“Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:12) This admonition appears at the end of a series of examples from the history of Israel in which the people thought they had the right course of action, but were dead wrong. The purpose is not to cause persistent anxiety, but a reminder that God expects people to think and to be honest about their own motives. The questions to ask are, “Is this helpful to me, does it build up others, and do I control it or is it controlling me?”

“Let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Corinthians 11:28) Liberty is a primary principle of the gospel. Everyone is responsible for their own choices, whether good or bad. Just because an individual chooses a certain direction does not make that path right or good. In this passage, participation in the Lord’s Supper is for each individual to decide. Choosing badly has serious repercussions. Judging ourselves well leads to fixing our shortcomings before they defeat us.

“Those of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor.” (1 Corinthians 12:23) Paul’s analogy is between body parts and congregation members. Parts of our physical bodies we tend to keep covered, yet those same body parts are typically highly valued. So in the church; those in the background actually are the ones most highly to be honored. Those up in front (the face and hands, so to speak) are not the most important, but the ones not usually seen.

“If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the Lord’s injunctions.” (1 Corinthians 14:37) In the history of the church, many have thought that they have had good ideas concerning what is appropriate for the faithful. Apparently, some did not check their ideas against those of the New Testament rigorously, but rather only superficially. Don’t go looking for a verse to support your idea; rather, draw your ideas from the inspired writers.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith.” (2 Corinthians 13:5) Paul’s criterion for this determination is the observation that God has been making the humanly impossible happen through you. Anyone, faithful or not, can do nice things and be pleasant to others. The faithful should see in themselves a miraculous makeover of character, uncommon peace, startling wisdom, and remarkable trust in the family.

“If anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own works and then he will have rejoicing into himself alone and not into another.” (Galatians 6:3 – 4) Evaluating oneself may be performed positively or negatively. Paul recommends monitoring what was done right rather than what was done wrong. Other faithful people should burst your bubble if you are rationalizing bad behavior (verse 1). Filling the day with good edges out the bad.

“That you may examine the things that are excellent, so that you may be pure and blameless into the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:10) Study what is excellent to become what is excellent.

“…discerning what is well-pleasing to the Lord.” (Ephesians 5:10) God expects the faithful to think while experimenting with goodness, righteousness, and truth (verse 9). Wisdom is needed (verse 15). Being filled with the Spirit (verse 18) results in miraculous character development. Seeing that change validates that the Lord is pleased. The next step is to shift perspective and find an even better combination with better results.

“Test all things; hold fast to what is good.” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) Every point of view has something to recommend it, but some parts likely are flawed. The faithful should not throw out the whole opposing position but rather keep the good parts. By this, we come closer together. Focus on the good rather than searching out the bad.

“Since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any out of you seem to have come short of it.” (Hebrews 4:1) In every place where fear and the faithful are mentioned together, the fear is not for themselves, but for others who are not “united with faith” (verse 2). The selflessness of the faithful eliminates fear for self and emphasizes fear for those outside the family of God.

“No discipline seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness.” (Hebrews 12:11) Children often cannot tell the difference between discipline (which looks forward) and punishment (which looks backward). Both are painful. Discipline produces positive results often seen only in hindsight. The author’s point is that God does not punish the faithful in this life or the next, but only disciplines so that the future may be brighter.

“If anyone seems to be religious but deceives his heart not bridling his tongue, this one’s religion is worthless.” (James 1:26) Would-be Christians deceive themselves into believing that kindness and gentleness somehow change the truth. Neither the speaker nor the hearer profits when the speaker is arrogant and the hearer is driven away from what could solve the problem. The faithful recognize that the truth can be repackaged for reception, profiting both.

“Believe not every spirit, if they are out of God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” (1 John 4:1) Many throughout history have claimed to represent God. A favorite technique has been to adopt a Biblical title and assert confidently that God had empowered them. John cautions the faithful not to be gullible. Ask for proof. Evaluate their depth of selflessness, commitment to the promises of God, and success at overcoming themselves to a miraculous degree.