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Self Examination

/self-eg-zam-ih-NAY-shun/

Summary

The act of examining one's own conduct and motives against God's Word—a commanded duty for spiritual growth.

☩A Divine Command

Scripture commands self-examination: 'Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.' It is the duty of calling ourselves to strict account for all actions, comparing them with God's Word as the rule of duty.

Key verses:2 Corinthians 13:5Lamentations 3:40Haggai 1:7

☩How to Examine

Self-examination should be deliberate, frequent, impartial, diligent, and wise—with desire for amendment. David prayed: 'Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me.' Before the Lord's Supper: 'Let a man examine himself.'

Key verses:Psalm 139:23-241 Corinthians 11:27-28, 31Psalm 4:4Psalm 77:6

☩Importance

Like navigators in a dangerous sea, Christians must constantly check their course and repair small injuries before they become catastrophic. 'Who can understand his errors? Cleanse thou me from secret faults.' Self-examination is essential to improvement, felicity, and spiritual interest.

Key verses:Psalm 19:12Psalm 26:2Psalm 119:59Galatians 6:3-5

Related Verses16 mentions

Psalms· 6 verses

4:419:1226:277:6139:23

1 Corinthians· 3 verses

11:2711:2811:31

Job· 1 verse

13:23

Jeremiah· 1 verse

17:9

See Also

Meditation
Meditation
Repentance
Repentance

References

  1. 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self Examination," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  2. 2.Charles Buck, "Self-Examination," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).
  3. 3.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self Examination," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  4. 4.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self Examination," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  5. 5.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self Examination," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  6. 6.Charles Buck, "Self-Examination," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).
  7. 7.John McClintock and James Strong, "Self Examination," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
  8. 8.Charles Buck, "Self-Examination," in A Theological Dictionary (Charles Buck (London), 1802).