Develop the habit of examining your life with the word of God.

Develop the habit of examining your life. After being condemned to death for being disloyal and corrupting the minds of his youthful students, Socrates made the statement “The unexamined life is not worth living.” to the jury and his accusers, reminding them that life’s most virtuous endeavor is to examine ourselves, not others.

Paul spoke of a similar thing when we said to believers in Corinth and to all believers (even today) that we should examine ourselves, and correct our own lives, rather than have God take us through His discipline (1 Corinthians 31-32).

As often as you can, sit yourself down and examine yourself. First, ask God to search you and bring your hidden thoughts and desires to the forefront of your mind and change you by the power of His Holy Spirit. We can pray like David that, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts. And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Secondly, consider examining your heart. Be sincere with yourself about the true state of your heart. Maybe you couldn’t guard your heart diligently as you should have and has allowed pride, selfishness, jealousy, covetousness or greed into your heart. Admit that you need help and get help.

Thirdly, examine your reactions and actions. True maturity is knowing how you feel in every situation yet choosing how and when to express the emotions you feel. Your reactions are as important as your actions. Examine the two – they make up your attitude. So basically, examine your attitude.

Lastly, examine your reason for living. You’ve probably heard this popular quote by Friedrich Nietzsche that, “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” Great people have a why to live and stay focused achieving that. Jesus’ why was to die to save humanity from their sins. What is your “why” for living?

Wait, when was the last time you truly examined your life? Start by examining your life with the Word of God. The Word of God is your mirror.

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