It’s amazing how easy it is to convince ourselves of things. We see this clearly in reality television, where contestants assert their greatness before the competition and are brought a firm dose of humility after the competition. Maybe you struggle with this too: in your relationships, in your spiritual walk, your habits? We might deceive ourselves in one of two ways. (1) We know we’re practicing evil and hoping no one will find out. (2) We’re living in sin ignorantly, without knowledge, and think we’re actually doing ok. To avoid self-deception, we need to get real with ourselves, wake up, and see us as God sees us.
One day in judgment, we will all stand before God and give an account of our actions (2 Cor 5:10). Will God bring up something on that day that will be a surprise? Many religious people on that day will be shocked to hear Him say, “Depart from me” (Matt 7:23). That’s the day when we’ll all be forced to get real. If we’ve deceived ourselves into thinking that we’re living righteously when really we’re living in sin, we will be surprised on that day in judgment. But, if we’ve been honest with ourselves and addressed the sins in our lives with fear and honesty, we will hear the words “Well done good and faithful servant!” Let’s look at David’s honest plea to God to help him get over the difficult roadblocks in his life.
Search Me
[Psalm 139:23] – David knew that honest self examination was a difficult thing, which is why he’s calling on the Almighty God to do the searching. “Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.” (Psalm 19:12)
Application
Searching for things on our own can be very difficult, but not with God’s help. (searching for the cell phone in your hand) Especially when it comes to matters of our heart. God is aware of all our thoughts, and all our ways (Psalm 139:2–4). While we might be able to hide our thoughts from others, God knows what you’re thinking, your attitude, and even if you’re lying to yourself. When you think about it, God must look at our hiding places and just laugh at how silly we act sometimes. What an awesome God we serve that can even know what’s in the secret places of our hearts! So, if you want to begin honestly examining yourself, start by asking God, who already knows your heart.
Try Me
[Psalm 139:23] – The apostle Peter understood that we need to be put to the test to see if our faith is genuine. “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 1:6–7)
Application
I hated tests in school, maybe because I wasn’t very good at them, but now I understand how valuable they were. We will never know what we know until we’re forced to use that knowledge. We’ll never know where our weaknesses are until we put ourselves to the test. Most commonly we pray for peace and safety, and that we would be led away from temptation … but David is asking that testing COME to him! What a brave request of God to ask for trial. Will your faith pass the test, or will in crumble under the pressure? The great part about testing here on this earth is that we can make corrections, become stronger, cover the weak points in our armor of faith … but if we wait to test ourselves until judgment, it will be too late to make correction.
See in Me
[Psalm 139:24] – Paul reminds us that we have a responsibility to lay aside the old man of sin, and no longer be entangled by him. “Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience, in which you yourselves once walked when you lived in them. But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds,” (Colossians 3:5–9)
Application
We’re not going to be able to cling to a life of sin and claim to be followers of God. If we’re not honest with ourselves, God will not be fooled. What weaknesses do you struggle with? That’s a very important question, because often we’ll acknowledge obvious faults, but we need to dig deep and see if there are things under the surface that people don’t directly see (anger, jealousy, fear, covetousness, doubt, etc.). Satan is aware of your weaknesses, are you? The goal is also not just to know what our weaknesses our, but to make sufficient correction.
Lead Me
[Psalm 139:24] – Jesus told us that we walk a narrow road that leads to life, but He has paved the way for us that we can follow in His steps. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14)
Application
It’s only when we’ve come through the tests of our faith successfully that we can know we’re walking down the road to life. It always strikes me to read about great men of faith and the confidence they had in where they would spend eternity. How could they be so confident? Because they were honest with themselves and submitted to regular testing. It’s only God who can lead us home. We can’t blaze our own trail or make up our own rules. Following the commands of God is not just about supplementing our wellbeing in life, but submitting ourselves to His every command because He deserves our honor and praise for all eternity! If righteousness is the way everlasting, then wickedness will lead us to death and suffering. Which path will you choose?
