It is Day 23 of the 40Days of Return. Yesterday I wrote about self-examination, emphasizing why we need to judge ourselves and not focus on other people. Today, I like to trust God to help you see how you can judge yourself without having to wait for God to judge you.
Apostle Paul provided us an example of judging yourself when he mistakenly talked to a high priest rudely but was later told the man was the high priest. Scripture says Paul apologized and corrected his own behavior: “I’m sorry, brothers. I didn’t realize he was the high priest,” Paul replied, “for the Scriptures say, ‘You must not speak evil of any of your rulers.’” (Acts 23:5)
Do a Regular Checkup
The first way to judge yourself is to examine yourself from time to time. The scripture says in 2 Corinthians 13:5: Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!
It helps to check up yourself just like you do a routine checkup with your doctor. It helps and often saves us from suffering precariously from unexpected woes. It is a good way to be proactive in our walk with God. This does not mean being critical or hard on yourself, it simply speaks to your acknowledgment of your frailty as a human being. You are subject to both omissions and commissions.
Be Quick to Acknowledge and Confess Your Sins
The second way to judge yourself before the Lord is to ensure you are quick to confess any sin and to forsake them. The scripture says in Proverbs 28:13: He who covers his sins will not prosper, But whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. Covering up your sin might force God to carry out the judgment on your behalf because of His justice and His love for your soul.
Remember what the scripture says to the saints in 1 John 1: 8-10: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
Also remember what the scripture says in Psalm 32:3-5: When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Be Quick in Seeking Forgiveness
The third way is to set the record straight with men first before venturing into any spiritual activity with God. Be quick to seek forgiveness from those who feel offended at you. The scripture says in Matthew 5:23-24: “This is how I want you to conduct yourself in these matters. If you enter your place of worship and, about to make an offering, you suddenly remember a grudge a friend has against you, abandon your offering, leave immediately, go to this friend and make things right. Then and only then, come back and work things out with God.
Be Quick in Giving Forgiveness.
The fourth way to judge yourself is by being quick to give forgiveness to others. The scripture says in Colossians 3:13: Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. The scripture also says in Mark 11:25: And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Be Quick to Get Over an Offence or Anger.
Don’t bottle up, be transparent and upfront without being rude. Do away with anger early enough and settle any differences or cause of anger as quickly as possible. In getting angry, let the other party know what they did that got you angry and let them know you are no longer angry with them. Be honest about it. The scripture says: “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry.
Always Look Inwards First
Think about your own fault first before pointing fingers at others. In what ways could you have contributed to the problems? In what ways could you have been of help to the other party that you failed? How better could you have helped? What could you better in the future to respond differently and get a different and better outcome? The scriptures say: “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (Matthew 7:3-5).
A great principle from the scripture says: My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry (James 1:19). Following this advice will save you from making undue mistakes and passing rash judgments on other people.
Here are a few questions you might ask yourself:
- How much time have you spent with God today?
- Have you spent more on yourself than on the Kingdom and the people around you?
- Do you easily see flaws in others and hardly see your own?
- Is there anyone you just find it hard to pray for?
- Is there someone you always find easy to condemn or criticize?
- Do you love people just like Jesus love you without conditions?
- Is there any sin you are yet to confess that God has raised with you?
- Is there anything you are doing secretly that you will not ever like people to know about?
- Is there anyone you just find it difficult to say “I am sorry” to?
- Have you won a soul or interceded for anyone in recent times?
The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and He does three major things: The Spirit will come and show the people of this world the truth about sin and God’s justice and the judgment.
