Questions for Self-Examination

Lately, I have been thinking more and more about the importance of seeing any sin—and especially my own—as something dreadful, abhorrent, and, most importantly, deeply offensive, insulting, and grieving to the Lord. This is a spiritual reality to which we must return again and again, and in which we must learn to remain continually. Sadly, we often grown accustomed to sin—both the sin we see among the people around us and our own sinful actions and thoughts. But Scripture proclaims clearly and unmistakable: sin is an abomination before the Lord.

“For all who do such things, all who act dishonestly, are an abomination to the Lord your God.” (Deut. 25:16)

“The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure.” (Prov. 15:26)

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men…” (Rom. 1:18)

These reflections lead us to the very heart of the Gospel of grace. For it is precisely the love of Jesus—His unconditional devotion and faithfulness to us, His perfect sacrifice on the cross—that not only opens our eyes to the full vileness and ugliness of sin, but also instills hope and brings the sweet taste of forgiveness and acceptance by the Lord. This gives us the strength and the ability to say a firm “no” to sin. That is why it is so important to preserve this mindset and to continue watching over our hearts. And this is exactly what we will reflect on briefly.

Over the past several weeks, I have been reading Tim Keller’s Book Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God. In chapter thirteen, I came across a quote by George Whitefield, which Keller developed into several pointed, practical questions for spiritual diagnosis and self-examination. Here is the quote from the book:

“O Lord, give me a deep humility, a well-guided zeal, a burning love, and a single eye; and then let men or devils do their worst!” (Tim Keller, Prayer, p. 218)

And now—here are the rephrased questions that I would like every believer to ask himself or herself from time to time:

1. Deep humility. Have I looked down on someone? Have I been too stung by criticism? Have I felt snubbed and ignored?

2. A well-guided zeal. Have I avoided people or tasks that I know I should face? Have I been anxious and worried? Have I failed to be circumspect, or have I been rash and impulsive?

3. A burning love. Have I spoken or thought unkindly of anyone? Am I justifying myself by caricaturing someone else in my mind? Have I been impatient and irritable? Have I been self-absorbed, indifferent, and inattentive to people?

4. A "single" eye. Am I doing what I do for God's glory and the good of others, or am I being driven by fears, need for approval, love of comfort and ease, need for control, hunger for acclaim and power, or the fear of other people? Am I looking at anyone with envy? Am I giving in to even the first motions of sexual lust or gluttony? Am I spending my time on urgent things rather than important things because of these inordinate desires?

Interestingly, it was precisely the very last question that affected me the most. How often I can be busy with urgent matters while leaving the most important ones aside!

Which questions trouble you the most? Bring them to the Lord in prayer.

A request from elders: Dear Church, if you are sick or know of someone who is sick and cannot attend services and be in fellowship with other believers, please let us know so we can visit them.

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"If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude.
It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful;
it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth."
1 Corinthians 13:1-6