Paul wrote, “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?” How can I examine and test myself?
Self-examination can be a foreign idea to many even though Jesus taught that prayer and meditation are important. The idea of it certainly was for me in the early days of my relationship with Jesus. Though the idea of self-examination was new to me when I first came to believe in Jesus, I now see that the human mind is examining self-motives and state of being all the time. The results vary depending on my spiritual health and relationship with Jesus.
A difference exists between self-examination in Christ and self-examination in the flesh (outside of Christ). When I allow it, and I am in the right mindset, the Holy Spirit will reveal to me my heart, motives, will, and mind for good change.
Several years ago, I discovered the Christian Examen meditation that is believed to originate from the apostles and the Benedictines. It is based on the truth that Christ is in me all the time and always active in me and my life. I have found the Examen important in my spiritual walk with Jesus.
The Examen contains 5 simple steps that are similar to these. They can be modified a little to your personality.
- Have a heart of gratitude, examining and thanking God for specific things that he did in the last 24 hours.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what he was doing in my life and character for the last 24 hours.
- Think about all that I said and did in the last 24 hours, examining what motivated me to say and do those things.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to forgive me where needed, change my character where needed, help me change behavior where needed, and make amends where needed and is appropriate.
- Thank the Holy Spirit for all he will do for and in me in the next 24 hours and help me see, understand, and accept it.
