Neville Turley

“I have considered my conduct, and I promise to follow your instructions.”  Psalm 119:59 (GNB)

It is important that as children of God we regularly take a close, critical look at ourself. Turning to Jesus in repentance and being baptised by water and the Spirit seals our salvation.  However it does not transform us into perfect human beings. We still have our fallen human nature with which to contend.

We need to analyse our spiritual condition under the probing search light of Holy Scripture. The first rule in self-examination is to be totally honest. We must be true to ourself.

Do we love God as much as we ought? Do we love our neighbour as much as we love ourself? Are we hyper-critical in our relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ? Sometimes we demand higher standards from fellow Christians than we set for ourselves. Our Lord spoke very strongly against that attitude.

“Why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Please, brother, let me take that speck out of your eye,’ yet cannot even see the log in your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.”  (Luke 6:41-42 (GNB))

We need to measure our conduct towards others by the fruit of the Spirit – Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.

As we identify where we have fallen short we need to confess those sins to God and seek forgiveness in Jesus name.

It does not matter how grievously we have sinned, the Bible promises we will be forgiven.

Through the Holy Spirit and his Word, God speaks to us when we pray and we must listen. Prayer is not only telling God what we want but God telling us what he wants.

Prayer:  Heavenly Father, thank you for the gift of self-examination. May the Holy Spirit empower us and guide us to follow you more fully and faithfully for Jesus sake

Amen