The Bible has a lot to say about the importance of self-examination and reflecting on one’s spiritual state. Here is an overview of some of the key biblical principles regarding self-examination:
1. We should examine ourselves to assess our faith and repentance
The Bible calls us to periodically examine our hearts and lives to see if we are truly in the faith. This includes assessing whether we have repented from sin and are walking in obedience to God’s Word (2 Corinthians 13:5, 2 Peter 1:10-11). Self-examination is crucial to avoid falling into spiritual deception and making sure our faith is sincere, not just an outward profession.
Passages that discuss self-examination in regard to repentance and faith include:
- Psalm 139:23-24 – “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
- Lamentations 3:40 – “Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!”
- Haggai 1:5,7 – “Now, therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways…Thus says the Lord of hosts: Consider your ways.”
- 1 Corinthians 11:28 – “Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”
2. We should examine ourselves before participating in Communion
Paul specifically instructs that Christians should examine themselves before taking Communion, the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). This self-examination is to assess any unconfessed sin in our lives and make sure we are discerning the body and blood of Christ with right motives and attitudes.
Examining oneself spiritually and repenting of sin before Communion expresses reverence for Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. It also helps avoid taking Communion in an “unworthy manner” which can result in God’s discipline (1 Corinthians 11:27-32).
3. We should examine how we treat others
An important aspect of self-examination is evaluating how we treat and interact with others. Scripture calls us to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger in relating to others (James 1:19-20). We are to live at peace with others as much as it depends on us (Romans 12:18).
We should humbly examine ourselves in areas such as:
- Expressing patience, kindness and compassion
- Controlling our tongue and avoiding outbursts of anger
- Being quick to forgive others
- Not being arrogant or rude, but demonstrating gentleness and respect
Examining our treatment of others will reveal much about our spiritual maturity and obedience to biblical commands regarding relationships. Key passages include:
- Matthew 7:1-5 – First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
- 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 – Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast…
- Ephesians 4:31-32 – Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
- James 3:9-10 – With [the tongue] we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
4. We should examine ourselves to detect sin and pursue holiness
Ongoing self-examination is key to detecting areas of sin, temptation, and idolatry in our hearts and lives. As the Holy Spirit convicts us, we should repent and make every effort to pursue holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1, Hebrews 12:14).
Scripture encourages self-examination to identify sinful tendencies such as:
- Pride
- Hypocrisy
- Impurity
- Jealousy
- Dishonesty
- Anger
- Worldliness
Confession and repentance leads to cleansing, freedom and restoration in our walk with Christ. Relevant passages include:
- Psalm 26:2 – Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
- Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
- Lamentations 3:40 – Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!
- 1 John 1:8-9 – If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
5. We should examine ourselves to cultivate spiritual growth and maturity
Regular self-reflection is important not only to identify sin, but to foster spiritual growth and progress in Christlikeness. As we examine our thoughts, motivations and behaviors in the light of Scripture, we can better understand areas needing improvement and development.
Aspects to examine include:
- How we are using our spiritual gifts
- Consistency and intentionality in spiritual disciplines like prayer, Bible study, fellowship, etc.
- How we are stewarding our time, talents, and finances
- The balance between word and deed ministry in our lives
This thoughtful self-evaluation and application of biblical wisdom promotes maturity and formation into the image of Christ. Scriptures that discuss examination from this perspective include:
- Matthew 7:3-5 – Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?
- 1 Corinthians 11:31 – But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged.
- Galatians 6:4 – But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
6. We should examine ourselves to confirm our calling and ministry focus
Times of self-reflection can also help confirm God’s calling and direction for our lives. As we evaluate our experiences, passions, abilities and opportunities in light of biblical wisdom and the counsel of others, we gain insight into how God has uniquely prepared us for specific kinds of ministry and service.
Prayerful self-examination provides clarity for aspects such as:
- Particular areas of needing discipleship or growth
- Specific ways we can use our spiritual gifts to build up the church
- Certain ministries or acts of service that fit our personality and abilities
- How God may be reshaping our sense of calling over time
A focused, thoughtful assessment makes ministry efforts more fruitful and directed. Verses that speak to this include:
- Romans 12:3 – For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 – Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit… To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
- 2 Timothy 1:6 – I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.
7. We must examine ourselves carefully to avoid self-deception
The Bible contains warnings about the dangers of self-deception and blind spots in our own hearts. Even as believers, we are still prone to be hardened in sinful patterns of thinking and acting if we fail to continually examine our lives in humility.
We must vigilantly examine factors such as:
- Whether we are merely hearing God’s Word but failing to obey it
- If there are sins we are minimizing or making excuses for
- Any bitterness, unforgiveness, or pride quietly growing in our hearts
- Areas where we are believing false teaching or unbiblical ideas
Honest self-appraisal is the only way to avoid slipping into spiritual complacency, hypocrisy or compromising our witness. Scripture passages that address these dangers include:
- Matthew 7:21-23 – “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven…
- 1 Corinthians 3:18 – Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.
- James 1:22 – But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
- 1 John 1:8 – If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
8. God’s Word is key to examining ourselves rightly
As we reflect on our inner lives and outward behavior, the Bible must remain our plumb line and compass. Scripture gives us an accurate standard and mirror for self-evaluation. God’s Word exposes the intentions of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).
To avoid inaccurate or unbalanced self-assessment, we must continually:
- Saturate our minds with Scriptural truth
- Pray for the Holy Spirit’s conviction and illumination
- Submit areas of blindness or rationalization to trusted, biblically-wise believers
- Anchor our identity fully in Christ as we honestly examine ourselves
The Psalms provide many examples of God-centered self-reflection bathed in Scripture. Passages reminding us of God’s Word as the key include:
- Psalm 119:59 – When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies…
- Psalm 26:2 – Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind.
- Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me…
- James 1:23-25 – For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror…
9. The ultimate purpose of self-examination is greater intimacy with and obedience to Christ
Our motivation for self-reflection must be to draw closer to the Lord Jesus Christ. Scripture encourages self-examination for the purpose of:
- Deepening awe of Christ’s sacrifice for us
- Inspiring more wholehearted worship and devotion
- Stirring greater passion for God’s glory
- Producing more fruit of righteousness by the Spirit’s power
Continual self-examination assists us in staying on the narrow path of following Jesus. It helps us lay aside the “old self” and put on the new self in Christ (Ephesians 4:22-24). The ultimate goal is falling more in love with our Savior. As Paul said, “I want to know Christ” (Philippians 3:10). Key verses to recall include:
- Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!
- 1 Corinthians 11:28 – Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5 – Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
- Hebrews 12:1-2 – Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith…
In summary, Scripture consistently calls believers to self-examination for the purposes of: assessing genuine repentance and faith, detecting sin, pursuing Christlike maturity, avoiding self-deception, confirming ministry calling, and ultimately fostering greater intimacy and obedience to Jesus Christ in all of life. As we reflect on our inner and outer life in light of God’s Word, the Holy Spirit sanctifies us to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ.