Self-examination is so important! As 2013 begins, what could be better than taking a look at ourselves and evaluating honestly where we stand before a God with whom we have to do? He knows exactly where we are falling short and why, but do we...? After all, how can we know what to resolve if we have not taken the time to discern what is lacking in our lives, or what may not be pleasing God? To be effective Christians, we need to know where our weaknesses lie in order to make no provision for the flesh, but it requires a constant evaluation of self, as one root sin may have many faces.
In church recently, we were reminded of the 22 questions members of John Wesley's Holy Club were to ask themselves every day in their private devotions. They are as follows:
- Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
- Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
- Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?
- Can I be trusted?
- Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?
- Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
- Did the Bible live in me today?
- Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?
- Am I enjoying prayer?
- When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?
- Do I pray about the money I spend?
- Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
- Do I disobey God in anything?
- Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?
- Am I defeated in any part of my life?
- Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?
- How do I spend my spare time?
- Am I proud?
- Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
- Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?
- Do I grumble or complain constantly?
- Is Christ real to me?
"I am resolved what to do . . . "
Luke 16:4
Labels: CHARACTER
