Healthy Self Examination - How To

Daughter Gretchen and her two children bungy jumping. Scarey! Just like self examination. What will I find?

Finishing the series, let's see how healthy self examination begins? Look at David's intention of Psalms 26:2 Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
Or Psalms 51:6-7 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

David is not speaking of morbid introspection. God must be allowed to examine our innermost being. Somber self-analysis, a continual feeling of one's emotional pulse, leads to greater self-centeredness that masquerades as holy struggle to mature in Christ. Instead, it is usually a means of avoiding responsibility.
One person told me, "I must spend three hours a day in prayer, making sure there is no sin in my life." I was impressed - until I learned that her prayer time became a convenient excuse for not doing house work which she terribly detested.

God-directed self scrutiny has an inner - upward - outward focus, from self to God to others, It is an uncovering of that within that stifles our dependency on and freedom in Jesus Christ. The inner gaze reveals pride, selfishness, hurt, hate, guilt, insecurity and a host of other varmits that knaw at the underpinnings of our faith and joy in Christ - the inner focus.

God examines us through four different media: direct search, by His countenance, by the Word and through people.
1.) God's direct search:
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.
This describes that gentle prick of conscience that we sometimes sense. God says: "Ray, you're not loving your wife like she deserves. Cut out that selfishness. Love her like I've loved you."
God, search my heart!

2.)God's countenance:
Psalms 90:8 (Amp) Our iniquities, our secret heart and its sins which we would so like to conceal even from ourselves, you have set in the revealing light of your countenance."
Do you set aside time most every day when you're alone with God - studying the Bible, praying, being quiet? As we sit in His presence, His countenance enlightens our innermost being, revealing that which needs change or growth.

3.) God's Word:
2Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
and
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Most of us spend so little time in the Word, we're not only ignorant of its teachings and principles but deaf to its probing power that excises spiritual cancer like a surgeon’s scalpel. I personally don't see how we can get along without at least 30 minutes most every day spent in concentrated Bible reading, study and prayer.
God examines us by direct search, his countenance, the Word and

4.) By people.
Hebrews 3:12-13 (Amp) Therefore beware brethren; take care lest there be in any one of you a wicked, unbelieving heart - which refuses to cleave to, trust in and rely on Him - leading you to turn away and desert or stand aloof from the living God. But instead warn (admonish, urge and encourage) one another every day, al long as it is called Today, that none of you may be hardened into settled rebellion by the deceitfulness of sin - that is, by the fraudulence, the stratagem, the trickery which the delusive glamour of his sin may play on him.
Do you have a friend or a support group that helps you with accountability, who out of care and love can gently confront you when something is blocking your growth?

It has been said that a friend is one who won't get in your way..... unless you're headed down. Are you blessed to have a friend like that? If not, endeavor to build a relationship that calls for mutual accountability.
As we allow God's scrutiny to continue in our lives and we respond, there is less self-centered dysfunction, and a greater filling of God's character within - more joy, peace, contentment, wisdom and everything else that God says is available to us.

Revelation 3:19 (Amp) Those whom I dearly and tenderly love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten, that is, I discipline and instruct them. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal, and repent - changing your mind and attitude.

The inner focus becomes a Godward embrace to gain healing and empowerment from Him to more effectively minister to others - loving on and encouraging them.