The Spiritual Discipline of Self-Examination
Mark J. Crocco
Director of Ministries
The Rephidim Project
The spiritual disciplines are practices, habits, and activities that lead to Christ-like transformation. There are some spiritual disciplines that we practice privately, while there are other spiritual disciplines that we practice in community with others. The purpose of this article is to introduce the spiritual discipline of “self-examination” into the devotional life of a pastor. The discipline of engaging in biblical self-examination will deliver us from the sin of self-deception, which has led to the disqualification of many from pastoral ministry (1 Cor. 9:27). Through a series of diagnostic questions, this article is designed to provide pastors with a practical tool to strengthen their relationships with their triune God, while sharpening their ministry and preaching skills.
The apostle Paul clearly instructs us to engage in self-examination whenever we participate in the Lord’s table, “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and the cup” (1 Cor. 11:28). In addition, he boldly commands us to “test” and to “examine” whether or not we are “in the faith” (2 Cor. 13:5). In a context of restoring those who have sinned, he instructs us to “examine” our own lifestyle before we seek to restore others (Gal. 6:4). Cultivating the spiritual discipline of self-examination will protect us from the path of self-deception where we literally become “strangers to ourselves” in light of our failure to objectively assess where we are spiritually. James reminds us that we participate in self-deception when we hear God’s truth but fail to apply it to our lives (Jam. 1:21-25), while John exposes the self-deception of those who claim to live sinless lives (1Jn. 1:8).
God chose David to be King because David was a “man after God’s own heart” (1 Sam. 13:14). The presence of self-deception in his heart led him to commit adultery and murder. His failure to engage in the discipline of spiritual self-examination led to disastrous consequences in his life, family, ministry, and kingdom. David engaged in “self-swindling” and ultimately pulled the wool over his own eyes, leading to spiritual, moral, and leadership failure. As pastors, none of us are immune from self-deception in light of the presence of indwelling sin (Rom. 7:18) in our lives and the deceitfulness of our hearts (Jer. 17:9). Integrating the diagnostic questions in the rest of this article on a daily basis has the potential to protect us from the dangers of a self-deceived life while empowering us to live more effectively for God’s glory.
1. Self-Examination: Examining My Relationship with God (Monday)
Is there any unconfessed sin in my life that is hindering my fellowship with God and my effectiveness in ministry?
(1 Jn. 1:9; Psalm 32:5; Prov. 28:13)
Am I a “God-fearing” man who relates to my God with a reverential sense of awe, respect, worship, honor, and accountability?
(Prov. 1:7; 9:10; 2 Cor. 7:1; Phil. 2:12)
Does my ministry flow out of a heart that delights in God (Psalm 37:4), experiences His goodness (Psalm 34:8), and leads to knowing Him experientially? (Jer. 9:23-24)
Am I building my ministry upon the foundation of my absolute, total, and complete dependence upon God (Rom. 1:17; 2 Cor. 5:7; Heb. 11:6), or upon my own gifts, talents, education, and experiences?
Do I cling to the promise of God’s presence in my life (Heb. 13:5), as I prayerfully seek to live in His presence (Psalm 16:8; 1 Thess. 5:17), while integrating Him into every area of my life and ministry?
2. Self-Examination: Examining My Relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ (Tuesday)
Am I reminding myself on a daily basis that the Lord Jesus Christ is to have first place in my life above all else, including pastoral ministry?
(Col. 1:18)
Do others experience me as a Christ-centered, Christ-consumed, Christ-saturated, and Christ-empowered man who worships, loves, and serves his Savior? (Phil. 1:21; Col. 3:4; Heb. 12:1-2)
In light of my union with Christ in His death, burial, and resurrection, am I allowing Christ to supernaturally live His resurrected life in and through me by faith? (Rom. 6:1-11; Gal. 2:20)
Am I intentionally “abiding in Christ” (Jn. 15:1-7) in light of His timeless reminder, “Without or apart from Me, you can do nothing?” (Jn. 15:5)
Am I cultivating an intimate first-love relationship with Christ (Rev. 2:4) as a result of making Him the supreme treasure of my life?
(2 Cor. 5:14; Phil. 3:7-10; 1Pet. 1:8)
3. Self-Examination: Examining My Relationship with the Holy Spirit (Wednesday)
Do I continually acknowledge that my adequacy for ministry is not found in myself but rather in the supernatural ministry of the Holy Spirit?
(2 Cor. 3:5-6)
Am I a “Spirit-filled” man who lives under the control of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18) while my life is marked with internal joy (Eph. 5:19), a thankful spirit (Eph. 5:20), and loving relationships? (Eph. 5:21-33)
Am I a “Spirit-empowered” man who lives through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 5:16) while manifesting the fruit of the Spirit which is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control?” (Gal. 5:22-23)
Am I reminding myself enough that God’s divine strength is released in my weaknesses rather than my strengths (2 Cor. 12:9-10), driving me to the grace of God, the resurrection power of Jesus Christ, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit?
Are there any broken relationships in my life that are fueling anger, resentment, and bitterness in my heart, causing me to “grieve” the ministry of the Holy Spirit? (Eph. 4:30).
4. Self-Examination: Examining My Relationship with Christlikeness (Thursday)
Is God’s eternal purpose of Christ-like transformation to the glory of God the ultimate goal of my life and my major objective for making disciples in my church? (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 3:18; Jn. 13:15)
If my people were describing who I am to others, would they describe me as a Christ-like man who is continually becoming more like Christ? (2 Cor. 3:18)
Am I living with a passion to see “Christ formed in my people” (Gal. 4:19) out of my deep love and commitment for my people?
(1 Pet. 2:21; 1 Jn. 2:6)
As a servant-leader, am I leading others with Christ-like humility with the purpose of self-sacrificially meeting the needs of others?
(Mk. 10:45; Lk. 22:24-27)
Do I ever remind myself that the single greatest gift I can give to my family and those I minister to is the gift of a Christ-like life?
(1 Cor. 11:1)
5. Self-Examination: Examining My Relationship with Myself (Friday)
Am I prioritizing the need to “keep watch” over my own soul (Act 20:28) before seeking to watch over the souls of others?
Am I carefully monitoring the quality of my own spiritual life with as much intentionality as I prepare and deliver my sermons? (1 Tim. 4:16)
Am I living a disciplined and balanced life (1 Cor. 9:24-27; 1 Tim. 4:7) spiritually, intellectually, physically, socially, and financially?
Am I living a morally pure life both privately and publicly as a leader who “abstains from sexual immorality, while modeling a sexually pure life in sanctification and honor?” (1 Thess. 4:3-7)
Am I living with a warfare mentality by “putting on the full armor of God” (Eph. 6:10-18) each day in light of the fact that my life, family, and ministry are the objects of demonic attacks on a daily basis? (Jam. 4:7; 1 Pet. 5:8)
6. Self-Examination: Examining My Relationship with My Motives for Ministry (Saturday)
Loving God and People: Am I finding my motivation for ministry in the two great commandments of loving God and people (Matt. 22:34-40; Mk. 12:28-34), causing me to conclude, “Without love I am nothing, and without love I accomplish nothing?”
(1 Cor. 13:1-3; Eph. 5:2)
Biblical Discipleship: Am I finding my motivation for ministry in the single greatest mission on this planet, which is to “make disciples of Jesus Christ” (Matt. 28:18-20), while proclaiming the single greatest message in this world, which is the gospel of Jesus Christ?
(Rom. 1:16; 2 Cor. 5:18-21)
The Authority of Scripture: Am I finding my motivation for ministry in God’s holy, inerrant, authoritative, infallible, and all-sufficient Word, which saves, sanctifies, and transforms our lives into the image of Jesus Christ? (1 Pet. 1:23; Jn. 17:17; Rom. 12:2; 2 Cor. 3:18; 2 Tim. 3:16-17)
The Return of Christ/The Judgment Seat of Christ: Am I finding my motivation for ministry in light of the imminent return of Christ (Phil. 3:20; Rom. 13:11-14; Tit. 2:11-14; 1 Thess. 4:13-18), and my desire to please Christ in light of my future accountability to Him at the Judgment Seat of Christ? (2 Cor. 5:9-10; Rom. 14:10)
The Glory of God: Am I finding my motivation for ministry in the glory of God as I live and minister with the ultimate goal of exalting Him by expanding His reputation in this world through my life and ministry? (Isa. 42:8; 1 Chron. 16:24; Matt. 5:16; 1 Cor. 10:31)
Action Steps
1. We must acknowledge the need that exists in each of our lives to cultivate the spiritual discipline of self-examination in light of the threat of self-deception in our lives.
2. The diagnostic questions for the six days leading up to your preaching ministry are to be integrated into your devotional life on a daily basis.
3. The purpose of cultivating the discipline of self-examination is not to make us morbidly introspective but rather to encourage us to live Godward, Christ-centered, and Spirit-empowered lives to the glory of God.
4. Consider finding an “accountability partner” who might want to connect with you on a consistent basis to explore the quality and depth of self-examination in your lives.
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About the Author:
Mark J. Crocco is the Owner, and President of Integrity Leadership Development Inc. Mark spent fifteen years in pastoral ministry and has spent the last twenty years developing leadership in organizations. Mark is a highly sought-after leadership development expert, public speaker, and author. He oversees the Crocco Catalytic Leadership Institute, which exists to create leadership materials with the goal of developing leadership. Mark speaks at many leadership conferences throughout the country and often speaks at churches, bible conferences, and retreats. He is a graduate of Philadelphia College of Bible and Grace Theological Seminary.
