Examining Oneself

Occasionally, we will hear questions like, “What do think of the sermon?” or “How do you like that preacher?” after hearing the Word of God preached.

“Oh, that men would just give this respect to all the things that they hear, never to cast them of until they have examined and tried whether they are so or not!” (Burroughs 176-177).

We tend not to hold off for a moment before reacting about the sermon we just heard. It is easy for us to have a spirit of criticism that isn’t really interested in trying to understand or giving respect to a sermon without examining it first. Burroughs reminds us, “whatever comes in the name of God to you (unless you know for certain it is not according to the written Word), you owe so much respect to it as to examine it at least, to try whether it is so or not.” (176).

It may be that we forget to examine ourselves. It may be that we forget to take the Word of God and what the Word of God says about us, and examine ourselves in light of it. As the Lord Himself has said, we will be judged by His words (John 12:48). Our reading reminds us that it is dangerous to sit under the ministry of God’s Word with a critical ear waiting to flag every fault and flaw in a sermon. “And certainly, my brethren, until we come to believe the Word, though we might sit under it for many years, it will do us little good, and we shall never sanctify the name of God by hearing it.” (178) We are to constantly watch our hearts when we come to worship.

What can be some helpful questions to ask when examining ourselves?