Are you more like Jesus than you were 1 year ago?

“Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

-Proverbs 4:23

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?”

-2 Cor 13:5

Throughout Scripture, we see how God knows all, including who we are deep inside, our desires, motivations, weaknesses and goals. Before God, we are all laid bare. Nothing is hidden from Him.

But many times, we are unaware of ourselves – either intentionally or unintentionally. Self-examination is absolutely necessary to grow – whether we like it or not.

How do I examine myself?

One way is given by an article by Dr. David Jeremiah from Crosswalk.com, where we check our hearts and lives according to the fruit of the Holy Spirit (from Gal. 5:22-23):

• Love: Do I love others unconditionally? Do I withhold my love or forgiveness?
• Joy: Am I able to rejoice in every circumstance? Can I give God thanks in all things?
• Peace: Can I make it through a difficult circumstance without worry or depression?
• Patience/Longsuffering: How often do I react impulsively instead of responding thoughtfully?
• Kindness: Are my thoughts and words toward others graced with compassion?
• Goodness: Am I willing to share what I have with others in need? Am I generous?
• Faithfulness: Do I keep my word even when it is costly? Am I loyal to God and others?
• Gentleness: Am I ever harsh, unyielding, or insistent on my interests instead of others’?
• Self-control: Am I able to live out my priorities or am I subject to the desires of my flesh?

It’s a great way to see if we are bearing the fruits of the Spirit, and it’s easy enough to memorize Galatians 5:22-23. Once you memorize that verse, you can do spot-checks of your heart and life.

Another great resource is 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald Whitney. 

I LOVE THIS BOOK! It covers 10 Questions:

• Do I thirst for God?
• Do I still grieve over sin?
• Am I a quicker forgiver?
• Am I more loving?
• Am I sensitive to God’s presence?
• Am I concerned for others?
• Am I governed by God’s Word?
• Do I delight in the church?
• Are the spiritual disciplines important to me?
• Do I yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

It is convicting and even if you have read it before, it is worth returning to every so often.

The goal is always to become more and more like Christ. Whether through intentional discipleship, through regular study of the Word and prayer, or conducting self-examinations of our hearts and lives, we are always striving to become more and more like Christ.

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Lord,

I confess I am not always aware of myself. Open my eyes to see myself and examine myself with honesty and authenticity. Help me to repent in all the areas I have neglected and need to grow. I want to become more like Jesus. Help me to do so. 

Amen.