Thorough Examination

Do you ever hear a sermon and it just hits a little harder than others? Every word and scripture seems to be screaming at you, even when the speaker has a calm demeanor and delivery? This past Sunday, was one such experience for me at my home church. Our lead paster gave quite the message regarding “sin in the camp.”

It’s time to clean house. Stop being so flippant about the little “pet” sins in your life and crucify your flesh.

That will step on some toes for sure!

Then, during my nightly bible study time, I am reading in 2 Corinthians and in the final chapter this jumps out at me,

“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves.” (2 Corin 13:5a)

Once again, the theme of taking a spiritual inventory popped up. I never take repeated spiritual ideologies for granted and tend to stand at attention when I hear the same sentiments expressed on more than one occasion, by different sources. You should also take note of such experiences, for it can be one way God speaks to His children.

So, as I continued to chew on this past Sunday’s sermon and also reflect on my own personal bible study, I thought it might be helpful to share my food for thought with you. After all, if God is speaking- I don’t want to miss one word and maybe someone else needs that same word.

I love how Paul challenged the church in Corinth to check themselves before they wreck themselves. (Oh sorry- wrong decade) Any healthy Christ follower should heed such sound advice today. We are to test our faith and make sure it is producing fruit. Some of you may ask what that means.

We read in Galations chapter five about the fruits of the Holy Spirit. They are as follows:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23)

As we examine our daily lives and actions, can others see these attributes in us? Do we hold our tongue in self-control when other coworkers are complaining and griping about the boss? Do we show love to the least of these or those who do not look or think like we do?

What about patience? This one can be a tough one for many, including myself, but yet again, it is a character of Christ and we should be showing that to a lost and broken world. How we conduct ourselves should stand apart from those who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior. We are not supposed to talk like everyone else or behavior like most in society today.

Not because we think we are better than others, but simply because our Lord calls us to live in a manor that quite frankly is completely counter-cultural to everything we see around us. This is how you know you are set apart, different and distinct in your motives and actions. It should give others pause when they encounter us, even if only briefly. How we conduct ourselves, should be infectious and leave others with a desire to know more about us.

As you examine your fruit, what happens when you find some that is rotten? Or perhaps you discover there is no fruit being produced at all in specific areas. This is the time to dive deeper and get to the root of the issue. This is where the Sunday sermon kicks in.

“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.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

This was a prayer of David. It is bold and scary at the same time. Asking the Lord to enter into the deepest parts of ourselves, examine them and find areas where we are lacking, is a frightening invitation. But I have said it in past writings- In order to live a healthy, God honoring faith walk, we must be diligent in crucifying our flesh and putting sin to death.

There is no other way.

Many times we erect barriers on our own and mess everything all the way up, don’t we? Pride will keep us from the altar time and time again. That unwillingness to admit we have a problem and need to change. It’s never pleasant to air your junk and tell others your struggles and deficiencies. We prefer for everyone to believe we are strong and have it all together.

“They may talk about me if I go down front and pray.”

“What will so-and-so think if I step out and walk this aisle?”

Dear friends, it is better for the whole world to discuss your business and see you trying to live rightly, then to keep secret sin hidden that will one day destroy you.

Our Father is loving and kind. He wants the absolute, very best for you each day. This is why He confronts sin, calls it out and expects you to repent and walk away from it. He knows what you need and what you do not. Trust His leading and welcome the conviction you feel. That is a sign of the Father’s love for you.

Take time, for the rest of this week, to allow the Lord access to your whole heart. Give Him permission to call out any ugly, darkness He finds. The freedom that is found when you immerse yourself fully into the truth of the scripture and try diligently to walk that out, is unlike anything you will ever experience. You begin to understand what it means to Live Beautifully Simple.

Your stress levels decrease.

You worry less and smile more.

When hard times rear its ugly head, you can have a peace that defies logic.

Laughter more easily escapes your lips.

And when it all falls completely apart, you have a faith which knows you are held tightly in a grip that will never let go.

These are things within my life, I wouldn’t trade for all the riches in this world.

So thoroughly examine your actions, and see if you need to address any sinful habits. The reward is monumental and completely life changing.

And next Sunday, I think I’ll leave the open toed shoes at home- just in case.