Examine Yourself

  Part 2  by: Bill Bratt


The apostle Paul gave instructions to the Corinthian Church in regards to the Passover ordinance in saying: "Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. {28} But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. {29} For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord's body. {30} For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. {31} For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged" (1 Corinthians 11:27-3.)

We all want to make sure that we do not take the Passover in an unworthy manner. We do not want to be guilty of the body and blood of Jesus Christ. In order to be worthy the apostle Paul admonished us to examine ourselves.

The definition of "examine" is "to inspect closely, to inquire carefully, to investigate, to interrogate closely, to scrutinize, and to test by questioning in order to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge."

Let’s look at "examining yourself" by questioning in order to determine progress, fitness, or knowledge.

We need to start by looking at God’s Ten Commandments. David, a man after God’s own heart (Acts 13:22) said in Psalms 119:172 "For all Your commandments are righteousness."

How are you doing in righteousness?

Do you have any other gods before the living God? (Exodus 20:3.)

Are you idolizing anything in your life that is so important to you that it takes all of your time and energy and it is forcing God out of your life? (Exodus 20:4-6.)

Are you using the name of God in vain or using it inappropriately? (Exodus 20:7.)

Are you keeping God’s seventh day (Saturday) Sabbath holy or are you abusing it, not keeping it physically or spiritually? (Exodus 20:8-11.)

Do you love, honor and respect your parents? (Exodus 20:12.) We could amplify this by asking if you love your spouse and your children? (Ephesians 5:28, 33, Titus 2:4)

Do you harbor the spirit of murder or hatred toward anyone? (Exodus 20:13, Matthew 5:21-26.)

Are you fleeing fornication and sexual immorality? (Exodus 20:14, 1 Corinthians 6:18, Ephesians 5:5.)

Are you stealing anything or borrowing and not returning something? (Exodus 20:15.) Are you putting in 8 hours of work for 8 hours of pay? Did you cheat any on your income tax this year?

Are you bearing false witness or telling little white lies? (Exodus 20:16.) Are you twisting God’s word to say what you want it to say?

Do you have an inordinate desire to possess something that belongs to someone else and this leads you to sin? (Exodus 20:17.) Do you covet your neighbor’s wife, house or car?

How is your tongue doing? Are you bridling your tongue? (James 3:1-8) Are you bearing tales or backbiting at someone? (Leviticus 19:16, Proverbs 11:13, 18:8.)

How are you doing against the works of the flesh? (Galatians 5:19-21.) How are you doing with: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness and revelries?

How are you doing with the fruits of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:19-21.) Are you growing in love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?

How are you doing in your Bible Study? (2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:10-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:21.)

Are you spending time on your knees in prayer? (1 Kings 8:54.) Do you pray fervently? (James 5:16.)

How are you doing in meditation? (Philippians 4:8.)

When is the last time that you fasted to draw closer to God? (Matthew 6:16, James 4:7-8.)

Are you in the Faith? (2 Corinthians 13:5.) Do you have faith? (Hebrews 11:1,6.)

Do you ask God to chasten you as a son? (Hebrews 12:7.)

How are you doing in casting down arguments? (2 Corinthians 10:5.)

How are you doing in bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ? (2 Corinthians 10:5.)

Is Jesus Christ living in you? (2 Corinthians 13:5, Colossians 1:27.) Are you following His example? (1 Peter 2:21.) Do you love Jesus enough to keep His commandments? (John 14:15.)

An important part of Jesus’ teachings is revealed in the beatitudes: Are you filled with pride or are you humble and poor in spirit? (Mat. 5:2.)

Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? (Matthew 5:2.)

Do you extend mercy to others and are you pure in heart? (Matthew 5:7-8.)

Are you a peacemaker? (Mat. 5:9.)

Do you live by every word of God? (Matthew 4:4.)

Do you ask God to search out and examine your ways and ask Him to help you to turn back to Him? (Lamentations 3:40.)

Do you ask God to search and try you so that He can know your heart? (Psalms 139:23.)

In conclusion: How are you doing in testing yourself? (2 Corinthians 13:5.) This is a small list of questions but it should stir your mind to examine yourself so that you can be worthy to take of the Passover sacraments of the bread and the wine. We must strive towards perfection and be an over comer (Hebrews 6:1)


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