“Self-examination is the setting up a court in conscience and keeping a register there, so that, by strict scrutiny, a man may know how things stand between God and his own soul. Self-examination is a spiritual inquisition, bringing one's self to trial. A good Christian begins, as it were, the Day of Judgment here in his own soul.” Thomas Watson, “Heaven Taken by Storm,” (Orlando, Florida: Northampton Press edition, 2007, first published in 1669 in London.) p.36There is a usual and customary way that Christians examine their life before God: external performances, acts, duties, or rituals. These works are not wrong per se, but if they are the sole tool used for our confidence in spiritual things or the condition of our soul is measured thereby, we are down a slippery slope. Acts of worship, service, or religion are not the principle barometer to our spiritual estate. In other words, our inner man is far more important to maintain scrutiny and examination as to our spiritual state then our outward competence or persistent religion. We offer far greater service to our spiritual report card by looking deeply into the center of our hearts than by counting the points of our external activities. Twice in Scripture Paul admonishes Christians to self-examine themselves: 1 Corinthians 11:28, 2 Corinthians 13:5. Both of these passages uses a Greek term (dokimazō) that means to test, prove, or approve. 1 Corinthians 11:28 admonishes us to approach the Lord’s Supper with the right motives, while 2 Corinthians 13:5 warns us not to be diluted with regard to our faith being real or fake. In other words, self-examination (the Greek also uses a reflexive pronoun for emphasis on self) is the crux of Christian living. Our lives, indeed, require us to set up court within the most secret chambers of our heart and soul. Judgment and trial is deliberately done on a consistent basis so that we prove ourselves before the higher court of God and His Word. For in this backdrop of Holy Standard we can not bear up or excuse ourselves from any immoral motives or intentions. For this reason the Psalmist replies to the Grandeur of God’s Omniscience, Omnipotence, and Omnipresence, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way” (Psalm 139:23-24). It is God’s Absolute knowledge of us that should drive away the pompous or arrogance that stands against His Wisdom. Elsewhere Paul says that he doesn’t even examine himself ultimately because the cross-examination is from the Lord (1 Corinthians 4:3-5). So, good Christian, make sure your heart is right always before the Lord. Examine yourself diligently before the Court of God and never stop until God takes us home. For this is better than any external endeavors and must come first.

Pastor Jim Cater