SELF EXAMINATION OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE

The Bible says, "We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way" (Hebrews 13:18). In other words, there is need for us to constantly maintain a healthy conscience while walking with God. Our conscience is positioned by God to help us examine ourselves from time to time. That's the reason it sends us notification signals, so we are careful how to live.

Reference: Job 23:12 New King James Version (NKJV)

"I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food."

These are words of examination from a man that feared the Lord. Job reminded and assured himself that he was keeping in step with God because he knew that he was living a life that pleased God. He searched himself as the upright and by voice of his conscience, he established his innocence before God. Having done so, Job came up with some findings. He said, "But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside" (Job 23:10-11 NIV). How did he come to this conclusion? His secret is in our referenced Scripture: I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth More than my necessary food."

Job treasured God's Word and laid it up in his heart. He was ever ready to receive instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in his heart (Job 22:22 ESV). Beloved, in the human mind, by nature, there is always a deep knowledge of how genuine we honour God and follow His ways. There is a tendency of every man if left to himself, to delve into the depth of his inner man and involve his mind more entirely in self examination in regard to walking with God. And nobody can do this for you except you. This also brings our attention to the dictates of our conscience because every man's conscience is the custodian of his walk with God.

1 Timothy 1:19 (ESV) reads, "holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith." This implies that your conscience largely determines the condition of your heart towards God. Simply put, you need a good conscience to serve God. In fact, aside from the Holy Spirit, you are the greatest help you need to live a life that pleases God.

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) says, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves..." This is more than an advice or exhortation. It is crucial to all Christians: to find time and think carefully about their life and walk with Christ. Beloved, sometimes questions like these are needful: Have I denied God in my dealings with men? Have I treated God with disregard in my thought life and way of life. Have I neglected my prayer life? Have I been ashamed of or denied my faith in front of others? Have I ridiculed the teachings or practice of the Word? These are good questions that can determine our stand with God and they give room or position us for spiritual improvement.

Self examination of our Christian faith is not an invitation to doubt our salvation and personal walk with God. It simply means being honest and careful about looking into our own lives. Hebrews 4:12 (NIV) says, "For the word of God is alive 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." In other words, it exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Therefore, apart from cultivating a good conscience, which some have put away concerning faith, we also need the Word of God to dwell richly in us because our conscience needs something to work with and that is the Word (Colossians 3:16). When the Word rules our conscience, the enemy will lose the ability to manipulate our Christian faith. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Job 6:10; Acts 24:16; 2 Corinthians 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 4:1-2.

Guided Prayer:

Dear Father, I thank you for the daily guidance and empowerment I receive from the pages of your Word. By treasuring your Word and living accordingly, I'm established as blameless in my conscience and thought pattern and I have the assurance that I live for you. My conducts are prompted and sanctified by your Spirit and I abound with greater care in the faith of the gospel and in my Christian walk. In aspiring after the renewal of my mind with the Word daily, I'm transformed from glory to glory in Jesus' Name, Amen!