Embracing Self-Examination for Spiritual Growth

 

Summary

In our journey of spiritual growth, we are invited to take a significant step that many find challenging: self-examination. This step, akin to the fourth step in the AA program, requires us to take a personal inventory, not of others, but of ourselves. It's a daunting task because it involves shining a light on the darker corners of our character, those areas we often avoid or are unaware of. Yet, this is essential for true healing and transformation. Just as a business must take inventory to understand its assets and liabilities, we too must assess our spiritual state to grow and change.

Self-examination is not a solitary endeavor. It is a process we undertake with God, seeking His guidance to reveal our hidden fears and anxieties. Psalm 139 serves as a guiding scripture, inviting God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive ways within us. This process is not about self-condemnation but about becoming aware of our vices and patterns of behavior that hinder our spiritual journey.

We are encouraged to reflect on the seven deadly sins or capital vices, which have been recognized for over 1,500 years as fundamental obstacles to spiritual growth. These vices—pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, greed, and laziness—are not just personal failings but are deeply ingrained patterns that require God's grace and our willingness to confront them.

As we embark on this journey of self-examination, we must remember that it is not about achieving perfection but about being open to God's transformative work in our lives. We are deeply loved by God, and this love empowers us to face our shortcomings with courage and hope. This process is ongoing, and as we continue to reflect and pray, we invite God to lead us in the way everlasting.

Key Takeaways:

1. Self-Examination as a Spiritual Discipline: Self-examination is a crucial step in spiritual growth, requiring us to take inventory of our own lives rather than focusing on others. This process, though challenging, is essential for true healing and transformation. It involves shining a light on the darker corners of our character, allowing God to reveal areas that need change. [02:39]

2. The Role of God in Self-Examination: Self-examination is not a solitary endeavor but a partnership with God. Psalm 139 guides us to invite God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive ways within us. This process is about becoming aware of our vices and patterns of behavior that hinder our spiritual journey, not about self-condemnation. [05:16]

3. Understanding the Seven Deadly Sins: The seven deadly sins, or capital vices, are deeply ingrained patterns that have been recognized for over 1,500 years as fundamental obstacles to spiritual growth. These vices—pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, greed, and laziness—require God's grace and our willingness to confront them. [09:08]

4. The Importance of Community in Spiritual Growth: Spiritual growth is not an individualistic endeavor but something we do together with God and within a community. The process of identifying and struggling against vice is not a purely human endeavor but requires the grace of God and the support of others. [05:48]

5. Embracing God's Love in the Process: As we embark on the journey of self-examination, we must remember that it is not about achieving perfection but about being open to God's transformative work in our lives. We are deeply loved by God, and this love empowers us to face our shortcomings with courage and hope. [12:17]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [01:03] - The Challenge of Self-Examination
- [02:14] - Bringing Light into Darkness
- [03:10] - The Importance of Inventory
- [04:26] - Grace and Self-Reflection
- [05:16] - Inviting God into the Process
- [06:22] - Identifying Fear and Anxiety
- [07:07] - The Danger of Using Others' X-Rays
- [08:12] - The Seven Deadly Sins
- [09:48] - Reflecting on Personal Vices
- [10:54] - The Role of Gluttony and Greed
- [11:32] - Understanding Laziness
- [12:17] - Embracing God's Love
- [12:34] - Series and Book Information
- [13:01] - Community and Prayer Invitation

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- Psalm 139:23-24: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting."

---

Observation Questions:

1. What is the significance of self-examination in the context of spiritual growth, as discussed in the sermon? [02:39]

2. How does the sermon describe the role of God in the process of self-examination? [05:16]

3. What are the seven deadly sins mentioned in the sermon, and why are they considered obstacles to spiritual growth? [09:08]

4. According to the sermon, why is it important to involve the community in the process of spiritual growth? [05:48]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Psalm 139 guide believers in the process of self-examination, and what does it mean to invite God to search our hearts? [04:57]

2. In what ways do the seven deadly sins manifest as deeply ingrained patterns in our lives, and how can recognizing them lead to spiritual transformation? [09:08]

3. What does the sermon suggest about the relationship between self-examination and God's grace? How does this partnership facilitate personal growth? [04:26]

4. How does the sermon illustrate the importance of not using others' "x-rays" in our self-examination process, and what does this metaphor teach about personal accountability? [07:35]

---

Application Questions:

1. Reflect on your own life: Are there areas where you have been avoiding self-examination? What steps can you take this week to begin this process with God's guidance? [02:39]

2. Consider the role of community in your spiritual journey. How can you engage more deeply with others to support mutual growth and accountability? [05:48]

3. Identify one of the seven deadly sins that you struggle with. What practical steps can you take to confront this vice with God's help? [09:08]

4. How can you incorporate the practice of inviting God to search your heart into your daily routine? What changes might you expect to see in your spiritual life as a result? [04:57]

5. Think about a time when you felt God's love empowering you to face a personal shortcoming. How can you draw on that experience to tackle current challenges? [12:17]

6. What specific fears or anxieties might be underlying your behaviors, and how can you address them through prayer and reflection? [06:22]

7. How can you remind yourself of God's love and grace when you are tempted to focus on self-condemnation during self-examination? [12:17]

Devotional

Day 1: Self-Examination as a Path to Spiritual Growth
Self-examination is a vital spiritual discipline that requires us to take an honest inventory of our own lives, rather than focusing on the faults of others. This process, though challenging, is essential for true healing and transformation. It involves shining a light on the darker corners of our character, allowing God to reveal areas that need change. By doing so, we open ourselves to the possibility of growth and renewal, much like a business must assess its assets and liabilities to thrive. This journey is not about achieving perfection but about being open to God's transformative work in our lives. [02:39]

"For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like." (James 1:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been avoiding self-examination? How can you invite God to help you face this area with honesty and courage today?


Day 2: Inviting God into the Process of Self-Examination
Self-examination is not a solitary endeavor but a partnership with God. Psalm 139 guides us to invite God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive ways within us. This process is about becoming aware of our vices and patterns of behavior that hinder our spiritual journey, not about self-condemnation. By inviting God into this process, we allow His grace to illuminate our hidden fears and anxieties, leading us to a deeper understanding of ourselves and our need for His guidance. [05:16]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Psalm 139:23-24, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you actively invite God into your process of self-examination today? How might this change your approach to understanding your own heart and actions?


Day 3: Confronting the Seven Deadly Sins
The seven deadly sins, or capital vices, are deeply ingrained patterns that have been recognized for over 1,500 years as fundamental obstacles to spiritual growth. These vices—pride, anger, lust, envy, gluttony, greed, and laziness—require God's grace and our willingness to confront them. Understanding these vices is not about self-condemnation but about recognizing the patterns that hinder our spiritual journey. By acknowledging these areas, we can begin to seek God's help in overcoming them and moving towards a more fulfilling spiritual life. [09:08]

"Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." (Romans 13:13-14, ESV)

Reflection: Which of the seven deadly sins do you find most challenging in your life? How can you begin to confront this vice with God's help today?


Day 4: The Role of Community in Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is not an individualistic endeavor but something we do together with God and within a community. The process of identifying and struggling against vice is not a purely human endeavor but requires the grace of God and the support of others. By engaging with a community, we find encouragement, accountability, and shared wisdom that can help us on our spiritual journey. This communal aspect reminds us that we are not alone in our struggles and that together, we can support one another in our pursuit of spiritual growth. [05:48]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)

Reflection: How can you engage more deeply with your spiritual community to support your growth? What steps can you take today to foster meaningful connections with others on this journey?


Day 5: Embracing God's Love in the Process of Self-Examination
As we embark on the journey of self-examination, we must remember that it is not about achieving perfection but about being open to God's transformative work in our lives. We are deeply loved by God, and this love empowers us to face our shortcomings with courage and hope. Embracing God's love allows us to approach self-examination not with fear or shame, but with the assurance that we are being guided by a loving and compassionate God who desires our growth and healing. [12:17]

"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)

Reflection: How does understanding God's love for you change the way you approach self-examination? In what ways can you remind yourself of this love as you face your own shortcomings today?

Quotes


The good news is you're already good at taking inventory you know how to do this the bad news is we do it for other people this guy's got some problems man I can tell him what those are but with inventory we don't take somebody else's inventory I take my inventory and we all have a natural resistance to this one. [00:01:27]

Of course the reality is unless I look at it openly and clearly I can never really be healed I can never deeply change. Over the last week or two I've been kind of on diaper duty real early in the morning and the not my own diaper somebody else's and the problem has been when I go in there they don't want the light to be on. [00:02:08]

Now in step four we bring light into the darkness of our own character into those nooks and crannies that not only do I avoid looking at like I don't even know how to see them so this would be real important uh we must do this step and again you're not going to want to do it I get it it's okay. [00:02:39]

If a business does not take inventory of what they have and what they lack they will be in real trouble and we are the same way. We do not get changed like that another old statement in AA if you sober up a drunken Horse Thief what do you have a horse thief if you convert a pagan horse thief to Christianity what do you have you have a Christian horse thief. [00:03:49]

Grace doesn't mean I don't have to look at that I don't it's like God forgives me for anything Grace is the power together with God to look at these things so the verse that we'll use over these few days couple of vers little passage from Psalm 139 search me oh God and know my heart try me or test me and know my anxious thoughts. [00:04:34]

Self-examination is not something that we do on our own wonderful book I'll talk about using what are sometimes called the seven deadly sins or the capital vices there's a great book by philosopher Rebecca D Young on this and she writes about how the reason it's crucial to recover the vice tradition and history is that they developed in a community of Christians. [00:05:09]

Identifying and struggling against Vice is not a purely human endeavor and it is not an individualistic psychological self-help program it is something that we can do only together with God and through his Mercy so now God and I search me oh God and know my heart my will the core my posture my orientation and then try me and know my anxious thoughts. [00:05:44]

Anxiety fear seems to get into everything God where is fear lurking underneath my sin in ways that I don't even recognize it and then see if there's an offensive way in me what are my patterns of behaving of relating with other people words um both the wrong things that I commit and then the right things that I omit God help me to come to see those. [00:06:14]

The irony of our day is we have ever increasing sophistication ways to examine what's wrong with our bodies or what might be wrong with our our cars or termite inspection for our houses uh but maybe less time than ever do we actually look at our character now not just our psyche um but the state of our souls. [00:07:38]

A vice is something that gets in me it's like a virtue it's an acquired so this is not genetic now you may have a predisposition for cholesterol or for anger something advice is something that I acquire for which I am at least partly responsible because I engage in this I practice this I allow this to go unchecked in my life or I omit to do this. [00:08:26]

We often trivialize the seven deadly sins in our day one of them is scy there were actually a group of of French folks who apparently petitioned the pope to have it removed but uh if we understand them there's a reason why they've been around for well over 1,500 years you know in the field of psychology the diagnostic statistical manual keeps changing the diagnosis every couple of years. [00:08:54]

There may be moments today as you walk through this stage something happen somebody has a conversation with you and you see one of these in your life just thank you God for bringing that to the surface although it hurts a bit help me to remember that you love me help me not to get neurotic or beating myself up on this help me not to just ignore it or squash it let me see what you see. [00:12:18]

Chatbot

  • I'm an AI bot trained specifically on the sermon from Jan 30, 2025. Do you have any questions about it?

Transcript
What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?
Were there any personal stories shared?