Text: Lam 3:40 Let us search and try our ways, and turn again to the LORD.

Intro: We have been instructed to ‘try the spirits’;
I Jno. 4:1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

To be fruit inspectors;
Mat 7:20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

To test the teachings we hear;
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

The Church is ordered to judge her members,
I Cor 5:12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?

I Cor6:2 Do ye not know that the saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you, are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters?

3 Know ye not that we shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life?

4 If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them to judge who are least esteemed in the church.

And we are even invited to put God to the test.
Mal 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

The most difficult and painful of all examinations is the ‘examine yourselves’
II Cor. 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?

It is difficult because our Adamic nature clouds our view and causes us to justify in ourselves, that which we would readily condemn in others.

It is painful because it cuts to the very root of pride and leaves us humbled before God, angels and men.

I. The elements of this examination
A. It begins with the realization that nothing is hidden from God and we MUST have His help in our endeavours.
Jer. 17:9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?
10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Rom 8:27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

B. The sword of the Spirit cuts away the spiritual cataracts from our eyes so that our vision of self is not clouded
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

C. Our yielded spirit then becomes the lamp which reveals all to us
Pro 20:27 The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.

Gen 2:7 And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

D. This, then prompts us to lay ourselves open before God with the cry, “Search me, oh God”
Psa 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

E. Then comes the real hard part! To really LOOK at that which has been revealed.

I Cor. 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.

Not merely to observe, but to correct
I Cor 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

I Looking for specifics
A. Examine yourself concerning your hope for eternity. Is it according to the Word? Is it a REAL experience? (A birth which is never EXPERIENCED never occurred!) Do you KNOW?

B. Examine yourself as to the state of your Christian life. (As though preparing to face Christ, not man)

1. Is your present spiritual condition one you would recommend to all Christians?
2. Is your present level of Christian living one that would cause the work to grow if all achieved it?
3. Could you conscientiously make a motion that your church dispense with all the services you do not think important enough to attend?
4. What would result if ALL maintained your level of stewardship?
5. Can you justify each of your answers by the scriptures?
6. Will Christ accept your reasoning when you stand before Him in judgment?