September 6

Job 30:9-31:40
Psalm 106:1-12
Proverbs 22:1-2
1 Corinthians 11:17-34

An Honest Look
So a man should examine himself.—1 Corinthians 11:28

An important step in bringing about a more perfect coordination between heart and mind is to take an honest, straightforward look at what is going on beneath the surface of your life.

I have often invited my readers to spend a few days taking an honest look at themselves. The reactions I have gotten to this suggestion have been quite interesting. Some Christians hear in my words a call to self-preoccupation and become concerned that I am pushing them toward becoming engrossed with their aches and pains.

One of my readers put it like this: “What people need is to forget about themselves and concentrate on reaching out to others; then their personal problems will quickly be forgotten.” Others have taken an opposite position and said, “We need more of this, for our hearts are so self-deceived that unless we are constantly challenged in this way, we will never get through to a close relationship with God.” I am unhappy about both those reactions, for both are unbalanced positions.

The first one fears that taking a look beneath the surface of our lives leads to unhealthy self-preoccupation. And the second opinion assumes that constant self-examination is the only way forward. But I believe an occasional, honest, straightforward look at what is going on beneath the surface of our lives contributes greatly to our spiritual progress, providing it is done in a proper and balanced way.

Prayer
O God, help me to see that in inviting me to examine myself, You are not seeking to demean me but to develop me; not to take away from my spiritual stature but to add to it. Make me an honest person—with You, with myself, with others. Amen.

Further Study
Lk 8:1-15; Ps 15:1-2; 51:1-6; Rm 8:27
Where does God require truth?
What must we allow God to do?

Every Day with Jesus Daily Bible – September 06