Happy Monday! It is November 18, 2024. Ever have trouble remembering names? Here’s one of the most effective methods I use: I test myself. When I’m in a crowd, I look at each person and silently say their name in my head. I quiz myself. What about you? Do you ever examine yourself? Do you have a way to remember the lessons God has taught you? Do you have a self-test to measure your growth in patience, grace, or character? Or do you wait for an unfortunate circumstance or setback to be your only test? Read on...
Today's Reading:
Psalms 124; 2 Corinthians 11,12,13
Scripture
“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”( 2 Corinthians 13:5)
Observation
Paul the Apostle challenges the people in Corinth to test themselves. If we don’t learn to do this, a series of tests will come through setbacks, criticisms, problems, and broken relationships. And these were precisely the issues happening in this new church in Greece. Paul had to write to them with corrective and confrontational words. He even had to expel one man for his defiance and persistent sin.
No student graduates or progresses without being tested. The choice is twofold: we can either test ourselves or wait for an external source to test us.
Application
The same is true for building several other character qualities. In order to grow, the Bible requires that we test ourselves in four areas. The Bible says we must:
- Humble yourself (1 Peter 5:6)
- Test yourself (2 Corinthians 13:2)
- Discipline yourself (1 Timothy 4:7-8)
- Encourage yourself (1 Samuel 30:6)
Prayer
Father, I want to keep growing. We may graduate from high school or college, but we will never graduate from the University of the Holy Spirit. Help me to administer self-tests consistently before I am tested by my faults and my failure to do so.
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