“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23-24)
A Christian’s life should not be centered on themselves. Christ and His glory should be our constant focus. We should focus our efforts on getting to know Him and carrying out His mission. However, it is occasionally necessary to set aside time for self-examination. Keep in mind that an unseen battle is being waged for our love. The adversary (Satan) stalks the area like a lion, waiting for the best opportunity to surprise us.
Thankfully, there is One who understands us more fully than we do. He is able to see what we are unable to, including what has been covered up for months or even years by little concessions, slip-ups, and lies we have accepted from the enemy. I won't give Satan more credit than he deserves, and I’m not one of those people who attributes all of their problems in life to Satan. He is nonetheless crafty, cunning, and active. To believe that any of us are impervious to his strategies would be absurd. While we shouldn’t be afraid of him, we should nevertheless be vigilant.
However, there are some concerns associated with con
templation. Make sure the Holy Spirit is guiding you first. The psalmist prays to the Lord to examine his intentions and thoughts and to analyze his heart. His objective is to follow God, not human ideas or advice, and certainly not his own emotions. Only God has the ability to assess a person’s heart. He alone is capable of seeing what we are unable to notice as well as what we are attempting to hide. God’s messages will always be consistent with His Word.
We must be careful to avoid getting “stuck” in our emotions. While I do think it’s vital to express our emotions to God, we don’t have to stop there. We shouldn’t follow our emotions. They shouldn’t dictate how we behave. Ignoring emotions can result in a wide range of issues, such as bitterness, fear, and unforgiveness. But paying too much attention to sentiments can lead to self-pity, severe despair, and shame. The delicate line between these two extremes must be navigated with the wisdom and insight that only God can bestow.
In the end, God desires to be our closest friend. He yearns for honesty with all of his heart. We will always find grace and forgiveness when we trust Him enough to come to Him completely.
Prayer: Father, even though I know I never deceive You, it is so easy for me to act like I have everything under control. Help me to approach You honestly and truthfully. Lead me today and reveal the iniquity that is hidden in my heart. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
