Self Examination

"So a man should examine himself."

1 Corinthians 11:28

As I read 1 Corinthians 11:28 in my morning devotions, I gave pause to contemplate it's application in my life.  I understand from the context that Paul is admonishing the Corinthian Christians to take an honest look at themselves and their motives.  News of disunity, selfishness, self-centeredness, and self serving among the members of the Corinthian Church had reached Paul.  These Corinthian believers had once eagerly accepted the Gospel, but as time went on, their lives and interactions with other believers only distorted and disfigured the God's Truth.  When they observed the Lord's Supper, they were gluttons and drunkards, shoving their way to the front of the line to ensure they had their fill...not once thinking of others before themselves nor looking out for the poor, the widows, or any other brother or sister in Christ.  These believers were only concerned for themselves, first and foremost!  They had no concern for Christ nor the other members of The Body!  It was all about them!

And though we read about these believers and are so quick to judge their selfish motives, we must also take care to examine ourselves - to take a deeper look, an honest assessment beneath the surface of our own lives.  We must prayerfully consider if there are any hidden issues or shortcomings that we ignore in ourselves, things that we push down deep and avoid dealing with - things that must be recognized, brought to the surface, and laid at the feet of our Lord.  Avoidance of such things isn't an option in the life of a believer.  In ignoring the things in ourselves we don't want to deal with we become Ostrich Christians.  Yet being overly obsessed in self examination isn't good either - especially to the point where our constant self examinations prevent us from moving forward, spur us in to self depreciation and self loathing.  Both avoidance of self examination and an unhealthy obsession with self-depreciation can paralyze us in the faith, making us unfit and unable to be of any good earthly use.  Therefore we must strike a proper, healthy balance of self-examination to achieve spiritual growth. 

A time of soul searching and self examination is necessary for a healthy spiritual life.  We can prayerfully examine ourselves, asking God to reveal to us any sin, shortcomings, or issues that we need to surrender to Him and deal with.  Then let's deal with it, let it go, and MOVE FORWARD in faith!

In His Love, Cathy