Examine Yourself.

'Believers ought to understand how the various parts of their being operate or they shall not be able to distinguish the spiritual from the soulical.

When thinking, they should recognize the source of their thought; in feeling, they should detect the direction from which such feeling comes; and in working, they should be clear as to what strength they use. Only thus can they follow the spirit.

We know our soul provides us with self-consciousness.

One aspect of self-consciousness is self-examination.

This is most harmful since it causes us to focus upon ourselves and thereby enhance the growth of self life. How often self-exaltation and pride are the consequences of such self-examination.

But there is a kind of analysis of incalculable help to the spiritual pilgrimage.

Without it we are incompetent to know who we really are and what we are following.

Harmful self-examination revolves around one’s own success or defeat, stimulating attitudes of self-pride or self-pity. Profitable analysis searches only the source of one’s thought, feeling or desire.'

Excerpt - The Spiritual Man- by Watchman Nee

Tomorrow we are going to study this more in-depth and search the Scriptures for the TRUTH. We are so incredibly prone to focusing on ourselves just as the words above admit to. We are told to search our feelings, to know ourselves, to stroke our egos, to believe in ourselves… over and over we are told that real empowerment is centered on self, that it comes from within. Most people will know what I'm talking about, it's all around us. You can scarcely browse the magazine section at a store and not see self focused articles. We need to learn the truth of knowing ourselves, of examining ourselves and what it really means.

2Co_13:5  Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Lord, please help us as we search for truth, please let us know and live the truth You reveal to us! All through Jesus Christ our Lord, we thank you and praise Your holy name!