Spiritual Checkups

I’m writing this right in the middle of a process where God is schooling me on myself. For the past few weeks, God has showed me just how messed up I am. I’m prideful, self-righteous, mean, impatient and almost everything contrary to the fruits of the spirit. The crazy part about it is I never even realized it. 

I thought I was a pretty decent Christian.

How did I let myself get to this point? How did I miss it? Crazy, I know…but it leads me to a bigger idea. How often do we examine ourselves? Yeah, we receive Jesus in our hearts. We say the sinner’s prayer, or whatever…but how often do we take an account for our tendencies?

2 Corinthians 13:5-9 (msg) tells us that we have to test ourselves to make sure we’re solid in the faith. We’re supposed to give ourselves regular “checkups” to make sure that Christ is REALLY in us. This admonishment that Paul gave the church is so necessary in our walk today.

After examining ourselves, we should be able to acknowledge certain tendencies. Just as quick as we recite our name and telephone numbers, we should be able to tell our personal inclinations and what we’re prone to do. We should be able to see that we always fall into traps due to lust, pride, self-righteousness, envy, or any other desire of the flesh. Whatever the case may be, examining ourselves helps us take an account of what’s REALLY going on.

I know I have problems with pride. My words can be sharper than a 2-edge sword. People bondage is a thing for me. My thoughts aren’t always Godly. *side eye* On a scale from 1 to 10, my patience meter default is at a steady 3. Sometimes I don’t mind my business and that’s just the preface.

Chiii, I got more than 99 problems…

…but aren’t you glad God doesn’t just leave us to do all the hard work of cleaning ourselves up?

David, in Psalms 51 (msg), straight up says, “God, give me a clean bill of health.” David, I’m with you, bro! God has to give us a clean bill of health. If he doesn’t, then it just won't  happen. It’s good to know that he will, though! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (msg) says, 

"...all things become new in Christ."

So, listen. Join me in taking all of our problems, struggles, spiritual inclinations, natural inclinations, issues, and really bad terrible horrible moments to Christ Jesus. We can’t do this by ourselves. Let’s just be honest, we’ve filled ourselves with all of the crappy stuff anyway. It’s time to start anew. You with me?