In the commencement of our new life; that is a spiritual life that we have just entered there is a method that we all need to really consider, and act upon it’s a self examination method that can be related to such words as survey, prove, search, scrutinize, and pursue. In this topic we will begin to acknowledge everything that is involved with self examination. So, that we can always be aware of where we need to be in the presence of our Heavenly Father; in the purity of our transformation that occurred in our true baptism.
One of the main reason of this self examination would be; and is because the state that we were once named as [prior to our baptism] a lost sinner. Although we still have the inheritance of sin within our flesh. One thing that we need to reckon with is the idea that its not just there in our flesh, but within us entirely: for example, within our heart; there is, and it is full of deceit, and it can be very malicious.
This is where it all pretty much begins; and I truly believe this is the reason why our Lord Jesus explains too his disciples the idea of what defiles a man: its not the object of what goes in, but what is everything that comes out (Matt.15:11)Not that which goes into a man defiles a man, but that which comes out of a man defiles a man.
The reason being for this explanation is that everything that does in fact come out does come from the heart; because as it is known that the heart is the eyes of understanding, knowledge, and perhaps our soul “(Eph.1:18)The eyes of your understanding [heart] being enlightened”. Therefore, they as well as we can understand just how evil our heart really is without a doubt. One thing for sure our deceitful heart can not deceive God, but does in fact deceive us to the core time and time again(Je.17:9)The heart is very deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked [exceedingly corrupt]: who can know it?
This is one of the main reason as to why we need to self examine ourselves, and really consider the necessity of governing our natural state [our sinful inheritance] by the acceptance of God‘s call to salvation through Jesus Christ (Matt.13:15)For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
This was stated by our Lord and Savior; because we as humans have long been without God, and therefore our vile heart has become dark (Ro.1:21)Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as a God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their own imagination [reasoning] and their foolish heart was darkened.
Now, when we begin to realize this with in ourselves, and can admit just how wrong we are, were, and will be: we will then begin to feel sadden, and become remorsefully guilty to the point of a true conviction. This can only be done with the assistance of God, and through His acceptance; in which He is the one who does know the hearts of all (Je.17:10)I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give to every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
Another thing that we as children of God must know is that we need to always put ourselves to the test, and search our deep thought and correct our secret follies. Just as King David of Israel always did (Ps.77:6)I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. (Ps.4:4)Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. (Ps.119:11)Thy word have I hid [laid up] in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Just as the prophet Jeremiah put it in very simple terms for all to understand (Lam.3:40)Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the Lord.
As I have always believed, and will always accept; that all who assume they have become a child of God: need to think again! Without the acceptance of God and His grace what is there to examine? Everything that is done has to be done in accordance with what God has in store for those who seek him truthfully; simply because it’s the first thing that He looks at [our heart], (Ps.139:23-24)Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my heart: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Besides, and above all we need to praise God for His entire providence that is upon us (Ps.139:1-16).
The most important of self examination that we do unto ourselves [I only mean those who truly do belong too Him; young and old alike] is what is written by Paul over the concerns of the Lord Supper [foremost of all importance] (1Co.11:28)But let every man examine [prove] himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. That way we know that we do not desecrate our Holiest of Holy, as this represents the body and precious blood of our Lord and Savior (1Co.11:29). Paul again setting the course of rebuking those with severe threats; this being too all who are obstinate sinners alike. (2Co.13:5)Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobate?
We need to mandate [put in subjection 1Co.9:27; Ro.8:13] too know how we can discern and prove our selves worthy by submitting to all of God’s commandments of His glorious will (Ga.6:3-4)For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.
For us to discern what is righteous, and what is evil is what we are taught throughout the word of God; besides before this we, no one, had a clue: that all were ignorantly clueless (Mal.3:18)Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that serves him not. (Heb5:14)but strong meat [solid food] belongs to them that are of full [is full grown men], even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
To prove, not only too ourselves, but to God; to show just how strong our fidelity, our faith, and being in the right means: always seeking what is that good wisdom that can only come from God. Always abounding in the word of God as it sets the tenure for our growth in His wisdom. As it give us the confidence, the hope, the reason as too why? Edification, notification, that can only lead to self examination (Eccl.7). Therefore, we Realize what is all that we need to prove; without slacking, holding back, and never assuming what is and what’s not? Why? Because everything before God is what is real, or better yet proven that everything of God is all good (1Thess.5:21-22)Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance [every form] of evil.
This is perhaps even more so to those who God has given the privilege to teach, preach His glorious gospel, and to watch over and feed the flock; as this was stipulated by prophet Ezekiel and our Lord Jesus Christ (Ezekiel44:23)And they shall teach my people the difference between the holy and profane [common], and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean. (Jo.21:15-17)This was Christ’s charge to Peter. Also, the Apostle Paul gave the same similarities concerning the issue at hand (Acts20:28)Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost has made you overseers, feed the church of God, which he has purchased with his own blood.
Upon our own finding of our own self examinations [I do mean plural and not singular] just how do we deal with such findings? Correct the corrections that need be corrected! This is what King David said concerning this issue (Ps.119:59)I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies.
The truth is that it sets the tone for all believers to turn back to Him through the agonizing guilt, the pains that we bear, and a remorseful heart; dreading upon committed sins: Just like Peter did when he denied our Lord three times (Mk.14:72)And when the second time the cock crew. And Peter called to mind the word that Jesus said unto him, before the cock crow twice, thou shall deny me thrice. And when he thought thereon, he wept. Lets not forget the parable that Jesus gave on the prodigal son (Lu.15:11-32). These are basic finding that are written for us to find , to see, to read, and to know; yet, how often do we find our selves in the same boat: seeking resolution for our own sanity leaning towards the loss of our own salvation. As for finding what ever the idea, and how to deal with it all; is all in the glorious word of God: no questions unanswered!
The concept of self examination is not a hard thing to reckon with; seeing how this entire world is already very much aware with what it means to self examine oneself: for instance one can calculate just how much one can take in any physical exertion by limiting oneself, or push it to the limit, so on, and so forth. It also, goes with the idea mental toleration, or as they call it tolerance control. The list goes on and on; its just phrased with different words, worldly words, it all still has the same percepts upon percepts.
One of the most important factor to our security is that we will always be under Devine inspection; only if we pray to our Heavenly Father with confidence. We must always have the hope that God is our refuge as He is the one who guides us, instructs us, as well as chastises (Heb12:7) those who truly belong to Him (Ps.26). It is also written that the word of God is truly inspired by Him (2Tim.3:16-17)All scripture is given by inspiration [every scripture inspired] of God, and is profitable for doctrine [teaching], for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect [complete], thoroughly furnished unto all good works. Again, even within the scripture that is written [old and new testament] are a set hope, and solace for our spirit (Ro.15:4)For whatever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.
By way of Devine inspection comes to us only through the Holy Spirit as it did to all those who were Holy men of God (2Pe.1:20-21)Knowing this first, that no prophesy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophesy came not in old time [no prophesy ever came] by the will of man: but Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
The Devine inspection that is indeed happening to those who truthfully belong to God; is because of the truth and holiness that can only be seen in a spiritual point of view; yet I don’t mean in a literal way, because God is a Spirit, and we therefore must worship Him in spirit and in truth. Yet, in order for this to happen we therefore submit ourselves to His will, and His will alone.
We being redeemed by the blood of the lamb has its right to those who truly are committed to God: by allowing God; through prayer; and Devine intervention to search us, try us, and to know our exact thought and intents (Ps.139:23-24)Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be ant wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
This is what it all sums up to be when we are committing to our self examination; always remembering who we are: children of God by the sacrifice of our advocate. In the holiest of intercession of God’s Holy Spirit; and most importantly the forgiveness of our Heavenly Father. Self examination is a sure way to a prosperous spiritual life that should be our aim in pleasing God, and not ourselves. We look at ourselves in the mirror and perhaps do not like the reflection that appears, so, we do what ever it takes to modify what we didn’t like to begin with. Is this not grooming ourselves; and therefore to truly love our own selves, and this is mortal examination. So, lets concentrate on spiritual examination to better our relationship with our Heavenly Father.