Believer’s Self-Examination 1corinthians 11:28 Series

Believer’s Self-examination 1Corinthians 11:28

Introduction:-

I am sure you have been hearing to great and well-known preachers of the word of God. I don’t think I can share anything new to you. But I have been exercised to help

you examine yourself in the light of those precious truths you have heard in the past.

Simply to keep on hearing is of new value. Word of God should work in our life. There should be some changes, benefit as a result of such gathering, if not

it’s a waste of time. So in these three days meetings we will see those passages that can help us examine our spiritual life, the condition of our faith and heart etc.

Notice what Apostle Paul wrote to Corinthian assembly. “Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves…” 2Cori 13:5. He wrote to them earlier

too: - “But let each one take heed how he builds on it.” 1Cori 3:10c. Here it is in connection with the Christian ministry.

In chapter 11 he writes in the background of partaking from in the Lord’s Supper. “But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup.”

1Cor 11:28; “For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged”. V. 31 cf. Gal 6:4:- “But let each one test his own work”.

That means whoever we are, a church member, pastor, preacher, evangelist, or whatever may be our position in the congregation we attend, the Bible calls upon everyone

to a self – examination.

Seven things about self – examination:-

1. Not to examine others. Matt 7: 1.

“Judge not, that you be not judged”. Cf. 1Cori 4: 5:- “Judge nothing before the time”. .John 7: 24a: “Do not judge according to appearance.”

The Lord as well as Paul forbids us from examining other’s life. Yes, for some it’s entertaining! Fallen man finds joy in finding fault with others. That’s self-

deceiving and destructive. That leads to arrogance and self-righteousness. In fact we can never judge the mind of another individual. God alone knows the heart of man.

Cf. Jer 17: 10.

Our judgement is based on what we see and hear for we don’t know what is inside. Cf. 1Sam 16: 7. So if we try to examine and judge others, not only we make a

mistake, but it’s also a rebellion against God, who is the only true judge. For we are trying to take His place!

Nevertheless, an assembly can examine the members! Cf. Reve 2: 2 – the Lord appreciates them for testing false teachers / apostles in Ephesus. Cf. 1Jn 4: 1, 2; 1Timo

3: 10; 1Cor 5: 1 – 5. With the help of the Holy Spirit and exercising the gift of discernment, the elders have to do it, if not accountable to the chief shepherd. Cf.

Reve 2: 14, 20.

2. Our knowledge is limited and imperfect. 1Cor 4: 3b, 4.

“I do not even judge myself” – what is the reason why we should not judge others? We are not capable to do that. Even to examine ourselves, we are not really fit! Cf.

Pro. 16: 25:- “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.” (ESV) - Our way always seems right in the beginning but end utter failure.

Pro 16:2 “All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the spirit.” (ESV) – Always right in his own eyes!

Two possible mistakes:

a. Too much introspection – ‘I am nothing”; “Failed”; like Elijah mourned. Cf. 1Jn 3: 20: Ob. Sometimes our heart condemns us – it may not be from God. Devil can

also do it to discourage us. – inferiority complex.

b. Too much self-confidence – “I am OK”; “feeling very good” – Even when we feel everything is right, there may be much failures or sins concealed, ignored. –

superiority complex

Why is it so?

Not only because of our limited knowledge, even our heart is deceitful of all. Cf. Jer 17: 9:- “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can

understand it?” It’s very subtle – hard to understand. “Who can understand?” – No one can!

That’s why Job does not want to justify himself. Job 9” 20:- “Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me

perverse.” (ESV) Job says even if he is right he cannot justify himself. So our conclusion about others or even about ourselves cannot be reliable or true.

3. God knows exactly and respond accordingly. Jer 17: 10.

Jer 17:10:- I the LORD search the heart and test the mind, to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his deeds."