Scripture Text
Psalms
26:2 (NKJV)
“Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.”
Intro: When was the last time you asked God to examine you and show you where you stand with Him? When you let God examine your spiritual life it will truly bless you.
I. Allow God’s Spirit to examine you. (v:2) Means to study you in a very careful way. Ask God how He sees you? Ask Him to show you where you need to change! God’s will for all His people in this life is to conform them to the image of Christ. Romans 8:29 (NKJV) For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Conform means to be in agreement on every point. Is your life being brought into agreement with Christ’s way of doing things? Let God examine and show you the truth. Are you fulfilling the purpose of God in your life? Do you even know your purpose? Romans 12:2 (NLT) Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Our purpose in life is to constantly be changed into that new person He created us to be. We are changed in our thinking as we pray and read God’s word. In it We find His will for us. We were created to bring praise, honor and glory to Him while we are in this world.
II. Allow God to prove you through your actions. (v:2) Prove means to show the character or ability expected of one, especially through one's actions. Are you most like Jesus in your actions or more like the world? Is your life being shaped more by others’ expectations of you than by God’s priorities? Are some of the things you are doing based on guilt, a desire for approval, or a need to make a good impression? Does God see the motive for your actions based on His will, yours, or to impress someone? Take note each week as to the use of your time. How much time is spent on the things of God? Are the activities you are involved in each week on His agenda for you? When your activities have a reason, God’s reason, you can be less affected by the opinions of those who may not understand why you do what you do. God blesses His agenda!
III. Allow God to try you in mind and heart! (v:2) Try means to test! Test means to subject to strain, as of endurance, patience, affliction, trouble; or duty. Proverbs 24:10 (NKJV) If you faint in the day of adversity, Your strength is small. James 1:3 (NKJV) Knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. A lot of people talk the talk of faith, but do not walk the walk of faith when tested. 2 Corinthians 13:5 (MSG) Test yourselves to make sure you are solid in the faith. Don't drift along taking everything for granted. Give yourselves regular checkups. You need firsthand evidence, not mere hearsay, that Jesus Christ is in you. Test it out. If you fail the test, do something about it. James 2:17 Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Philippians 1:20-21 (NLT) 20 For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. 21 For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better.
Conclusion: What you and I are seeking is the freedom to be who God has called us to be. Not just in theory, but in everyday practice. This should be the goal for our lives this year and every year!
Invitation: Will you allow God to examine your heart right now? Allow Him to show you your heart as He sees it. Where do you stand in your relationship with God? Do you even have a relationship with God? If not, confess your sins to Jesus and ask Him to forgive you and invite Him into your life. Will you allow God to test your motives and purposes for what you do? Will you take action and look at your life and see how much it fit God’s plan for your and change what you need to change?
