Self-Examination

Introduction

If we want to grow in our relationship with God,

it is important to be honest both with God and with ourselves about where we are in our own lives,

like David wrote in verse 6 of his Psalm:

“But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.“

In verses 7 and 9 David wrote:

Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow...Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.”

In other words, as we grapple with our struggles, shortcomings, weaknesses and failures (in short, our sin),

we can accept the forgiveness God offers

and make changes to grow in faithfulness and joy,

Which David expressed in verse 8 and verses 10-12, where he wrote:

Psalm 51:8 NLT

8 Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice.

Psalm 51:10–12 NLT

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. 11 Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.

This is where the spiritual discipline of self-examination comes in.

The Takeaway

First, David shows us some important aspects of self-examination.

It’s easy to fall into one of two extremes:

Either denying any wrongdoing or avoiding thinking about it

OR over-criticizing ourselves, punishing ourselves, and ending up with a low self-esteem

Consider David does neither of these things.

Rather, he is honest about his sin and brings it to God in confession...

knowing that God is “steadfast in love” and “abundant in mercy” as he proclaims in Psalm 51:1.

The second thing that needs to be noted is that David asked for forgiveness.

In the verse 7 of the New Revised Standard Version,

David wrote:

Psalm 51:7 NRSV

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Hyssop was a plant used for sprinkling liquids to purify.

The word translated as “purge” literally means “unsin.”

David was asking for his sin to be undone, which is why the New Living Translation renders it to:

Psalm 51:7 NLT

7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

But it is not just about forgiveness,

about not being guilty or avoiding punishment.

Self-examination and repentance are starting points for transformation and growth

in holiness and joy (or, in theological words, “sanctification”).

Finally, David knows that he needs God’s help to change

and prays for a clean heart, a new and right spirit,

a willingness to keep going and gain wisdom.

These are not things we can give ourselves,

and it is not a one-time change.

The practice of self-examination can help us see where we need to be asking for God’s continued help.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my friends, this is what the Season of Lent is all about: SELF-EXAMINATION.

Honestly, though, self-examination should not be limited to a mere 40 day season, once a year;

Rather, self-examination is a year long, LIFE-LONG, practice that Christians MUST commit themselves to.

It is a vital spiritual discipline or practice that leads us to grow closer to God, no less than any other of the Spiritual Disciplines such as:

Prayer, Bible Study, giving, Fasting, Worship, and serving others.

Let us utilize Lent, starting today, as a time for us to grow in Self-Examination, as well as the other disciplines that draw us closer to God.