Examining Ourselves

By Michael Youssef, Ph D.  12/30/22

If we are to have confidence that our testimony is true, we must test ourselves. King David—a man after God’s heart—cried out to God saying, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

When we refuse to examine ourselves on a regular basis, we are taking God’s grace and salvation for granted. But don’t miss the good news: In this spiritual test, we can always succeed. Even if we fail, we can still have victory.

If you examine yourself on a daily basis and find that you are in the faith, then you will be overjoyed by God’s mercy and will give Him glory. But if you find that you have moved away from the Truth, God has given you an invitation to repent and to return to the Truth.

God promised in His Word to receive anyone who turns to Him. The moment you come face to face with the reality that you have sinned gravely and then repent, God, in His grace and mercy, receives you. He embraces you, forgives you, and restores you. God is glorified when we examine ourselves and submit to His correction.

Prayer: God, thank You for Your mercy. Help me to examine myself every day and submit to Your lordship in my life. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:22-23).