Self-examination is obligatory in order to grow, advance, and mature as a believer in Christ. Wilhelmus a’ Brakel said that self-examination “is very beneficial. It causes one to become conscious of the evils which dwell in the heart... It causes one to flee to Jesus for justification and sanctification. It causes one to become serious in heart.”[1]
Upon examination, a Christian will discover firstly, areas that need improvement. They will see the need to change their thoughts and renew their minds (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:23; Col. 3:10; Ps. 51:10). Another result is learning how to better pray and approach God (1 Thess. 5:17; Phil. 4:6; Col. 4:2). This should increase humility (Jm. 4:6, 10; Mi. 6:8). Calvin said, “what God’s truth requires us to seek in examining ourselves: it requires the kind of knowledge that will strip us of all confidence in our own ability, deprive us of all occasion for boasting, and lead us to submission.”[2] Thomas Brooks wrote, “The weaker the house of Saul grew, the stronger the house of David grew... The death of pride will be the resurrection of humility.”[3]
More fruit of self-examination is that it should lead to the mortification of sinful flesh (Rom. 6:5-14; 8:12-13; Col. 3:5-11). Once again Brooks,
There is as much difference between sin in a regenerate person and in an unregenerate person, as there is between poison in a man and poison in a serpent. Poison in a man’s body is most offensive and burdensome, and he readily uses all arts and antidotes to expel it and get rid; but poison in a serpent, is in its natural place, and is most pleasing and delightful: so sin in a regenerate man is most offensive and burdensome, and he readily uses all holy means and antidotes to expel it and get rid of it. But sin in an unregenerate man is most pleasing and delightful it being in its natural place.[4]
It should also drive one to read and meditate on the word of God (1 Pet. 2:2; Col. 3:16). Another area of improvement shown by self-examination is the necessity of desiring closer communion with Christ (Ps. 42:1-2; 63:1-5). Not many are better than Jonathan Edwards when it comes to explaining deep and penetrating truths. He writes,
If you could avoid death, and might have your free choice, would you choose to live always in this world without God, rather than in his time to leave the world, in order to be with him? If you might live here in earthly prosperity to all eternity, but destitute of the presence of God and communion with him- having no spiritual intercourse between him and your soul, God and you being strangers to each other forever- would you choose this rather than to leave the world, in order to dwell in heaven, as the children of God, there to enjoy the glorious privileges of children, in a holy and perfect love to God, and enjoyment of him to all eternity?[5]
When a believer looks intensely into his heart and finds a world of iniquity and feels so distant and far away from God, this (along with the Holy Spirit’s drawing) ought to motivate to move closer to God. Dying to self and forsaking the world is to be the desire of every believer. This is done in order to destroy anything and everything that threatens the intimacy and nearness of a Christian’s soul to his God. All of the above fruits and improvements ultimately direct to and result in Christlikeness. The goal and aim of Christians is to be like their Christ (Rom. 8:29; 2 Cor. 5:18; Col. 2:6-7). Sanctification is to be sought and coveted; indwelt believers are driven to conform to the image of Christ.
Self-examination is done to promote growth and maturity, secondly, by revealing the need of daily repentance (Matt. 6:11-12). When we analyze our hearts and lives, by the grace of God, we become aware of just how vile and repugnant we are. Then, a true believer repents and cries out to God for mercy and the grace necessary to be conformed to the image of Christ. Not only should a Christian look at his own heart and life, but studying the nature of God will also lead to further repentance. When we compare ourselves to others we do not look so bad. But, if we dare liken ourselves to God, then we will be driven to our knees and lay broken and contrite before him. In addition, meditating on the coming judgment, the brevity of life, Christ’s sorrow and satisfaction for sin, the law, and the duration of eternity will aid in repentance.
Realizing and understanding the need for daily repentance is beneficial because it unveils sinful tendencies. If you find yourself repenting for the same sin over and over again, then this tendency and propensity to sin has to be addressed and mortified (Lam. 3:40; Rom. 6). It too unmasks temptations and weaknesses (Rom. 7). As a result the penitent dies to sin (Rom. 6:11; Gal. 5:24; Col. 3:3). Then the hatred of sin increases (Rom. 7:17ff), we learn to treasure grace and forgiveness (1 Tim. 1:12-17), and finally, cherish the imputed righteousness of Christ (Is. 61:10).
Thirdly, self-examination promotes growth and maturity by engendering joy due to deliverance. As a saint matures, he or she finds joy in Christ; his person and sacrifice (Rom. 5:11; Jn. 15:11; 17:3; 1 Pet. 1:8; Ps. 16:11). This is turn teaches and enables Christians to be joyful in trials and while enduring hardships (1 Thess. 5:16; Col. 1:11-13). Joy transcends circumstances. Rejoicing even in suffering is one of the major paradoxes of the Christian faith (Rom. 5:3).
As a consequence of examining oneself, fourthly, the growing and maturing believer worships the God of all grace. All of the previous points build off of each other. When we examine ourselves we see areas that need improvement. Repentance follows, then joy because of Jesus’ salvation. Worship ensues as the forgiven sinner bursts forth with praise and adoration directed at the merciful and glorious Savior. Reflecting on God and his gifts stimulates worship, praise, and humble repentance (1 Pet. 2:9; Eph. 1:6,12,14). This cycle is inescapable and must be repeated often. Stephen Charnock depicts worshipful repentance and delight in God by contemplating God and then looking back at the soul. He teaches that to correctly see ourselves and sinful nature, we must study God. By looking at the perfections and brilliance of the Lord, all our stains and blemishes are made visible. He wrote,
If there be no right conception of the nature of God, there can be no sense of the evil of sin, and the contrariety of our nature to him; but when the soul sees God and sees itself, it will be filled with self-aborrancy. How can we bewail our offenses if we understand not the purity of his holiness, the severity of his justice, the tenderness of his mercy, the irresistibleness of his power, and the inevitableness of his wrath?[6]
In a similar vein, Calvin wrote, “our knowledge should serve first to teach us fear and reverence; secondly, with it as our guide and teacher, we should learn to seek every good from him, and, having received it, to credit it to his account.”[7] That is, everything we have is from God, so he deserves all the praise and glory. He is worthy. God alone is worthy (Ps. 29:2; 57:5).
Fifthly, self-inspection fosters growth and maturity by causing the believer to seek assurance (Col. 2:2-3). Looking at and scrutinizing onself results in maturation by uncovering areas that need improvement, which issues forth in repentance, which produces joy in the Savior, which in turn effectuates worship, with the outcome being assurance. The fruit of assurance is motivation then to pray, hope expect, anticipate, work, love, and live for Christ (Eph. 6:15-23; Phil. 2:12-13; 1:6; 1:9-11).
[1]Wilhelmus a’ Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, 4 vols. (Grand Rapids: Reformation Heritage Books, 2007), 2:308-309.
[2]John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, ed. John T. McNeill, trans. Ford Lewis Battles (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1960), 2.1.2.
[3]Thomas Brooks, “The Unsearchable Riches of Christ”, in The Works of Thomas Brooks, 6 vols. (Banner of Truth, 1980), 3:41.
[4]Thomas Brooks, “The Golden Key To Open Hidden Treasures” in The Works of Thomas Brooks, 6 vols. (Banner of Truth, 1980), 5:23.
[5]Jonathan Edwards, “God The Best Portion of the Christian” in The Works of Jonathan Edwards, 2 vols. (Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson, 2004), 2:106.
[6]Stephen Charnock, “A Discourse Of The Knowledge Of God”, in The Complete Worls of Stephen Charnock, 5 vols. (Banner of Truth, 1985), 4:33.
[7]Calvin, Institutes, 1.2.2.
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