Self Examination

“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:15-16 

In 1769 a small group of students at Oxford University set aside time for praying, examining their spiritual lives, studying the Bible, and meeting together. In addition, they took food to poor families, visited lonely people in prison, and taught orphans how to read. They were taunted by their classmates and given the name “the Holy Club”.Regardless of the mockery they strived to be as God desired, Holy ( set aside for God). 
 
The following is a list of questions (in today’s language) they would ask themselves and each other. This was not a check-off-the box exercise but a genuine act of self-reflection. They conducted this self-examination to better understand their relationship with God. Consider reflecting and meditating on these questions. 

  1. Do I have the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite? 
  2. Am I honest in all my actions and words, or do I exaggerate? 
  3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence? 
  4. Can I be trusted? 
  5. Am I a slave to my attire, friends, work, or habits? 
  6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying? 
  7. Did the Bible live in me today? 
  8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day? 
  9. Am I enjoying prayer? 
  10. When did I last speak to someone else about my faith? 
  11. Do I pray about the money I spend? 
  12. Do I go to bed on time and get up on time? 
  13. Do I disobey God in anything? 
  14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy? 
  15. Am I defeated in any part of my life? 
  16. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful? 
  17. How do I spend my spare time? 
  18. Am I proud? 
  19. Do I thank God that I am not like other people? 
  20. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? 
  21. Do I grumble or constantly complain? 
  22. Is Christ real to me?