Self-Examination Insights from 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Examine Yourselves 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6

2 Corinthians 13:5-6, NKJV 5 Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? -- unless indeed you are disqualified (reprobates-KJV). 6 But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified. "Examine Yourselves" 2

INTRODUCTION Examinations are an important part of everyday life Students are checked for understanding Doctors examine their patient s health Exams are given to validate qualifications Vehicles are tested to meet specifications Christians are commanded to conduct a self-examination by a standard outside of self! "Examine Yourselves" 3

From the Greek word PEIRAZO, means to tempt, try - Vine The word, prove, from the Greek word OKIMAZO, is a stronger word than the word examine. Commentator, Albert Barnes writes, this word, prove, refers to assaying or trying metals by the powerful action of heat; and the idea here is that they should make the most thorough trial of their religion, to see whether it would stand the test... Barnes Notes, Vol. 11, p-269 "Examine Yourselves" Examine Defined 4

Reprobate Defined The word, reprobate, is from the Greek word ADOKIMOS. According to Vine, signifying not standing the test, rejected was primarily applied to metals. of things, Hebrews 6:8, rejected ... of persons, Romans 1:28, of a reprobate mind, a mind which God cannot approve, and which must be rejected by Him...; 2 Corinthians 13:5, 6, 7,... here the reference is to the great test as to whether Christ is in a person... Vine "Examine Yourselves" 5

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified 2 Cor. 13:5-6 A PERSONAL exam Determines position Is Christ in you? Prevent rejection Use great care to not deceive ourselves! Jas. 1:22-26; Gal. 6:7-9 6

We Must Examine Our Thoughts The Company We Keep Our Habits Our Affections Our Motives "Examine Yourselves" Our Aspirations 7

Our Thoughts We Must Examine We 0nly know the thoughts of men if they reveal them to us! 1 Cor. 2:11 We know our thoughts and God knows our every thought Psa. 94:11; Heb. 4:12 God s thoughts are unequaled far and above any man s thoughts Isa. 55:8-11 We are to keep our thoughts in obedience to Christ 2 Cor. 10:5, cf. Gen. 6:5 Paul taught Christians how to think to be pleasing and approved of God Phil. 4:8 1 Cor. 14:37 8

The Company We Keep We Must Examine Who do we keep company with? Do we keep company with other Christians or those who are not Christians? Paul warned of the dangers of evil company 1 Cor. 15:33, cf. 1 Cor. 5:6 Solomon warned of company that can corrupt Prov. 1:7-19; 4:14-15; 12:26 Paul gives sound divine instruction when he wrote the Romans teaching them to honor and prefer one another Rom. 12:9-10 9

Our Habits We all have admitted we have a bad habit We must discipline our bodies as Paul did 1 Cor. 9:27 Peter admonished to abstain from fleshly lust which war against the soul 1 Pet. 2:11-12 Transform your bad habits into good habits Read and study your Bible Neh. 8:18; Acts 17:11 Pray Psa. 88:9 Bear your cross Luke 9:23 Meditate on God s word Psa. 1:2 Exhort others to be faithful Heb. 3:19 Look for opportunity to teach others Acts 5:42 Grow in faith Acts 16:5; 2:47 We Must Examine DAILY 10

Our Affections We Must Examine Where are your affections focused? Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth Col. 3:2 Paul teaches our attention should be focused on spiritual matters in this text cf. Matt. 6:33 Why spiritual matters? the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever 1 John 2:17 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him 1 John 2:15 11

Our Motives We Must Examine A motive is defined as a thing that causes a person to act in a particular way God knows all our thoughts Psa. 94:11; Heb. 4:12 In as much that God knows our thoughts, then He also knows our motives We must then do all that we do to the glory and praise of God 1 Cor. 10:31; Col. 3:17 Paul encountered brethren who had wrong or insincere motives Phil. 1:7-17 but the other proclaim Christ of faction, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction for me in my bonds Phil. 3:17 12

Our Aspirations We Must Examine Aspiration is defined as: a) A strong desire for high achievement. b) An object of such desire; an ambition American Heritage Dictionary What is the PRIMARY thing you ASPIRE to achieve in this life? cf. 1 Tim. 3:1 desire = aspires ESV, NASV77 &95, NRSV, NET The answer that a Christian should give to this question is eternal life in heaven! This was the apostle Paul s aspiration which can be read of in his letter Phil. 3:7-14 I press on toward the goal unto the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus Phil. 3:14 13

EXAMINE REVIEW WE MUST Our Thoughts! The Company We Keep! Our Habits! Why? Our Affections! Our Motives! Our Aspirations! 14

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?--unless indeed you are disqualified. But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified 2 Cor. 13:5-6, NKJV "Examine Yourselves" 15

What Shall We Do? Acts 2:37 Alien sinners must Hear the Gospel Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6 Believe it John 8:24 Repent of sin in your life Acts 17:30 Confess that Christ is God s Son Matthew 10:34 Be baptized to wash away your sins Acts 2:38 An erring child of God must Repent and Pray for Forgiveness 1 John 1:7-9 Endure Trials & be faithful unto death Revelation 2:10 16