Friday October 14, 2022

2 Corinthians 13:5
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.

Here, too, we notice the distinct line of demarcation which separates the righteous person from the hypocrite and the self-deceived person.

Hypocrite persons fear self-examination and avoid it at all costs. Gradually they acquire much practice in comforting themselves and defending themselves against the restless thoughts which the Spirit of God puts into their conscience.

The righteous fear self-examination also. But they desire it nevertheless; and seek it. They desire to know the truth about themselves, even though it results in the passing of judgment upon their Christian life.

The righteous permit the light of God to be shed upon all their sins and desires. They desire to know at all times whether they have entered into a compact with any sin as a result of which they may be excusing and defending sin in themselves.

They desire to know if there is anything in which they do not desire to know the will of God. They know that there are instances enough in which they are not able to do the will of God, but this does not disturb them as long as they are conscious of the fact that they are not seeking in willfulness or love of ease to explain away the will of God.

Nor do sincere souls stop at this.

They have learned to have a holy lack of confidence in themselves, also in their own self-examination. Therefore they ask the Lord to try them. As the old psalmist did: “Search me, O God, and know my heart!… And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting!”

And God hears their prayer and points now to one, now to another thing in their lives which is contrary to the will of God. The result is sorrow, distress, and shame. And the soul’s hunger and thirst for grace is kept alive, yes, experiences a normal growth. Faith fights the good fight and keeps healthy and sound. The cross becomes a place of refuge.

Joy and sorrow, smiles and tears mingle there as they are mingled in life.

O. Hallesby, God’s Word for Today: A Daily Devotional for the Whole Year, translator Clarence J. Carlsen (Augsburg, 1994)
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.