If we gave out prizes, men would win hands down, but it’s not an award you want on your shelf. Only 15% of American men go to the doctor for a regular physical wellness exam. The number one excuse they give, “I don’t have time.” However, far more essential for both men and women is a spiritual wellness exam. Paul says, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves (2 Corin 13:5 NIV). He even says to do this regularly—each time we take communion; A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup (1 Corin 11:28 NIV).
Let’s consider several reasons people avoid spiritual checkups. Lack of time remains high on the list of excuses; however, the major reason is people fear what they may discover. People often told me they would attend my classes if they didn’t have to take a test. A true teacher never designs an exam to eliminate students; it is to evaluate where they need improvement. God never allows us to be tested in order to disqualify us from His Kingdom. Christ’s goal is to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy (Jude 1:24 NIV). We can’t correct our failings unless we know and acknowledge the problems we have.
The first step begins with a spiritual self-exam. A word of caution: The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked (Jer 17:9 NKJV). It is tempting to devise a test that only addresses our positive achievements. Note what a spiritual exam is NOT. It’s not a punch list of our religious activities. The focus of a self-examination must weigh the thoughts and intentions of our heart and how they manifest in our character and behavior. A deceitful heart can misdirect us to compare ourselves to others and conclude, “I’m better than average. I have higher moral standards. I do more for the church; I give; I attend regularly; I treat others with respect. I must be Ok.” One writer put comparison exceedingly blunt—It is like one manure pile boasting that it smells less than another manure pile.
The second essential stage comes when we recognize something is wrong and need a specialist. David knew his external was in a mess. So, he prayed God would examine his heart and internal character. Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way (Ps 139:23, 24). I didn’t know I had cancer or an E-coli infection until I allowed doctors to exam me with their high-tech instruments and complex blood test. The keyword for the physical and spiritual is ‘allowed’. We must allow the Holy Spirit to search. I learned I had internal issues I could not see or fix myself.
God is testing our country and world, not so He can impose the ultimate judgment and destroy us, but He is conducting a spiritual examination. My son said God has us in ‘timeout’ so we can examine our relationship with Him as individuals, as churches, and as a nation. Nothing is more common than to point out the faults of others and ignore our own. “It’s their fault. They are wicked and evil people. If they would repent, God would heal our land.” No, it begins with me.
Paul used two different words when he wrote, Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves (2 Corin 13:5 NIV). Examine means to test for hidden faults or weaknesses. If they are hidden, it shows we need the Holy Spirit to expose them. The word test means to evaluate by a standard. Any exam requires a standard. The measuring stick is not other believers; not church doctrine; not legalist rules; not a self-generate list. We only have One standard. His name is Jesus. The first question we should ask, “Am I living a Christlike life? Am I like Jesus yet? Am I falling short?”
I realized this week not everyone will repent and turn from their wicked ways. Only Noah and his family were on the ark. The people of Sodom and Gomorrah didn’t repent. Revelation says when the angel pours out the fourth bowl of judgment on the sun, Men were scorched with fierce heat; and they blasphemed the name of God who has the power over these plagues, and they did not repent so as to give Him glory (Rev 16:9). The good news is the more people repent and turn to God, the brighter His light can shine through them. His light will overwhelm the darkness. “You are the light of the world . . . Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven (Matt 5:14,16).
Let me close with the Message Bible’s translation of 2 Corinthians13:5. Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don’t drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it.
Sustaining Word for the Week: Now, you have the time. It begins with you.