#245 – Let A Man Examine Himself

LET A MAN EXAMINE HIMSELF

1 Cor. 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

Psalms 139:23 24, "Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."
David was a man after God’s own heart. He was anything but perfect but he knew where to go when he needed forgiveness. He invited God to “Search me . . . and know my heart. The words “my heart” and “my thoughts” are key words in this passage. So many think that what they do in their hearts and thoughts does not make any difference. It does. God knows us through and through. No man can hide himself from God. Let a man—

EXAMINE HIS COMPANY

It does make God a difference who we run with. Psalms 1:1, "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” The word “counsel” means advice, purpose, counsel.” 1Cor. 15:33, “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.” The words “evil communications” mean that running with the wrong crowd will rub off on you.

Next,

EXAMINE HIS HABITS

1 John 2:15, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him."

There are things that become habits in our lives that are sins that we never ask forgiveness. The reason is that we have never considered that what we are doing might be sin.

There is no way to love the world and be right with God. I am talking about loving the world as John puts it. I know some Christians that use bad language. They do not consider it wrong. Ephesians 4:29, "Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers." Some would look at this as being overbearing. However, if God says it is wrong it is wrong. To clean up ones language must begin with confessing it as a sin. Once this is done one can proceed and ask the Lord to help break this offensive habit.

Next,

EXAMINE HIS THOUGHTS

Psalms 10:4, "The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts." God knows this. Our Creator is shunned in ones thoughts. He is not only shunned, He is expected to go along with the professed Christian. I have heard many times the saying, God loves us and is willing to take us like we are. He is not bothered by course language on the part of His people.

Acts 8:22, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.” How many of us have had a foolish thought in the past few days? This is the reason that unbelievers will go to hell. Some of them are good citizens. They treat their neighbors with respect. They give to the poor. But is there one of them who does not have evil thoughts?

God’s standard of judgment is so high it is completely out of sight even for the most righteous of unsaved people. The fact is, Jesus is ones only way out.

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EXAMINE HIS AFFECTIONS

Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth." There is a definite connection between the world and the believer. The believer wants to live holy. His adversaries do everything they can to stop him. The world, the flesh, and the Devil are enemies who will draw our attention away from “things above” and get us to focus on the things of this world.

But how do we overcome in this life as a believer solely dedicated to the Lord? 2 Corinthians 10:5, "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" We have the enabling power of the Holy Ghost to give victory misplaced affections.

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EXAMINE HIS MOTIVES