Honest self-examination is critical to maturity because it reveals areas of resistance to the restoration of the image of God. If you take the time to go through this post I think you will learn more about the benefits of self-examination. Proverbs 4:23 prescribes self-examination: “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life” (ESV). Our heart is like a reservoir that we need to protect from pollution because our life springs from it. So it is important to ask yourself if you do self-examination with “all vigilance”. Paul told the Ephesian elders: “Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood” (Acts 20:28, ESV). Thus, we need to be proficient at discerning our thoughts and attitudes.
Self-examination and self-knowledge have been considered essential to Christformation throughout church history. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090 – 1153) said: “To know himself . . . with all his imperfections is the first knowledge that the one who desires to sanctify himself must acquire.”[1]
Following is a meditation to help us to commit to self-examination and honestly examine ourselves.
- Absorb Scripture. Read Psalm 139:23-24 “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (NIV). Imagine an image or scene that represents this passage, or imagine Jesus standing in front of you asking you to follow the practice in this passage. How does that affect you?
- Feelings and Emotions Reflection. Ask yourself: What feelings or emotions, if any, did I experience during or after absorbing this passage? Why was I feeling this way? Can I identify with having anxious thoughts, and how are they blocking my faith? Do I have the same desire for purification that the Psalmist does? What desires do I have in this area? Express your feelings, emotions and desires to God.
- Truth Commitment. Invite God to reveal your heart then ask yourself: Do I believe that the practice mentioned in the passage would be a blessing for me? Do I believe that he will lead me in the everlasting way? If not, what is the root of my unbelief? How do I deal with that root issue?
- Action Commitment. Ask yourself: How can I better embrace this practice of self-examination? Why haven’t I been more faithful to God in this area? How do I overcome those barriers? Do I seek God’s everlasting way in areas of sin and make a serious effort to purge sins? If not, why not, and how can I overcome those barriers? Create a sustainable plan for self-examination and tell God you are committed to it.
- Reception (Contemplation.) Ask Jesus if there are any sins he wants you to attack with more effort (“search me”). Listen with a quiet and open heart for at least 60 seconds. If you receive an impression, then apply discernment and cooperate accordingly.
What did you gain from this process?
[1] Quoted in Pourrat, P., Christian Spirituality, tr. W. H. Mitchell, 4 vols., vol. 2 (London: Burns Oates and Washbourne, 1924), 24. Reissued by Newman Press, Westminster, MD 1953. This was also more recently reproduced by Andesite Press (no date) in their Scholar Select series. We highly recommend this four-volume series on the history of Christian Spirituality.
