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!”
Today’s nugget is going to be different. It is going to contain two things; a book recommendation and ten questions for a healthy spiritual examination which are the substance of the book. I hope we will do two things – purchase the book and do an honest, thorough, assessment of our spiritual condition. First the book .It is titled Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney, published by NAVPRESS, paperback of 131 pages. Next, it is very good. Very. Buy it. Read it. Study it. It will be profitable for our souls. Now the ten questions which serve as the whole of Whitney’s book
- Do you thirst for God? (Psalm 42:1-2)
- Are you governed increasingly by God’s Word? (Psalm119:105)
- Are you more loving? (John13:34-35)
- Are you more sensitive to God’s Presence? (2 Corinthians 3:18)
- Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others? (1 John 3:16-18)
- Do you delight in the Bride of Christ? (Psalm 16:3)
- Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you? (Titus 2:11-14)
- Do you still grieve over sin? (Psalm 51)
- Are you a quicker forgiver? (Ephesians 4:32)
- Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus? (Philippians 1:21-24)
As we take this spiritual self-examination, check-up, and assessment, be open to the Spirit of God giving us an objective and true grade. Let’s not be quick to assume anything. Remember, the worst form of deception is self-deception and that worst area of self-deception is in the most important area of our lives – our spiritual lives.
PRAYER: “Father, search me and know me, and reveal to me anything which is hindering a close walk with You.”
QUOTE: “Spiritual self-examination is not to discourage us toward doubt of salvation but to encourage us of our salvation”