Self-Evaluation

I have tried to develop a habit of self-evaluation over the years and it has served me well. Self-evaluation continuously teaches me to think objectively about myself and my reactions to the things going on around me. Self-evaluation helps me to focus on what truly matters in my life.

Avoiding the Unnecessary

While self-evaluation takes different forms the end result is always the same; it leads to change. It begins when we are children and (hopefully) continues on throughout our lifetime. People who fail to develop or act upon self-evaluation are constantly faced with difficulties they could have avoided.

While its implications are important psychologically and societally, the most important thing is that it applies to our relationship with God. It begins before we even know the Lord!

Acts 2:37

 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”   (NKJV)

Peter and the other apostles had just preached to the crowd in Jerusalem, testifying to the murder, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ – their Messiah. The crowd knew about Jesus, and they knew of His claim to be their coming King. When they heard what had happened to Him, and how those things had fulfilled biblical prophecies, they had a chance to do some self-evaluation. That’s why they were cut to the heart. They knew that they had done wrong and wanted to know what they could do to make it right.

The same thing happens when we hear about Christ. We sense that what we do – and who we are – is at odds with God’s perfect design. That comparison is what leads to repentance and the New Birth, and while it starts the process it doesn’t – or shouldn’t – end there.

An Ongoing Process

The process of self-evaluation continues throughout the life of a believer. When we sin after we are saved we are – or should be – cut to the heart. We know that we have done wrong against God and we need to make it right! Self-evaluation does just that because we compare ourselves with what we know God wants from us.

Lamentations 3:40

Let us search out and examine our ways, and turn back to the Lord.  (NKJV)

In the Old Testament, the people of God had opportunities to evaluate themselves and see where they had missed the call of God’s standard. Even though they didn’t have the Holy Spirit living in them as we do today, they were called to check their actions against what God had declared to be right and good. But, thanks to the continuing work of that indwelling Spirit, we have a personal relationship with the One Who leads us.

A Remedy For Doubt

Sometimes we have doubts about our salvation, but God gives us the remedy to remove those doubts through self-evaluation.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.  (NKJV)

By making sure we hear from God we put our doubts and fears to rest. Those who are truly Born Again will be cut to the heart when we sin, and we repent. One of the sure ways we know we are saved is that God, as our Father, will correct and discipline us when we are wrong.

Communion is one of the times God specifically instructs us to do some self-examination. It’s the perfect time to judge what we have allowed into our lives, comparing those things to what God desires to operate in our lives.

1 Corinthians 11:28-29

But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For he who eats and drinks in an unworthy manner eats and drinks judgment to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.  (NKJV)

By looking at our lives and motives before we partake of communion we have the chance to change what we are doing and thinking. We can reset our hearts and refocus on the Lord. If we fail to do that, then we invite all kinds of bad things into our lives – unnecessarily!

Calling Us Home

Even when we are persistent in sin by living our lives for ourselves, God is faithful to restore us if examine our actions and repent. All it takes is some self-evaluation.

Luke 15:17

But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!  (NKJV)

Most of us know about the Prodigal Son, and all that he went through, yet when he ‘came to himself’ he realized what was wrong and repented. When he reflected on his life he realized his error and return to his father. He was restored! In the same way, whenever we are missing God’s best for us (whether through sin or simple, unintended error) we each have the chance to return to our Father and get our lives back on track again. Anytime, anyplace, no matter the offense. Even if we are doing well, a little reflection on what we’re thinking and doing can lead us to improvement!

That’s the power of self-evaluation.