“Examine and test and evaluate your own selves to see whether you are holding to your faith and showing the proper fruits of it. Test and prove yourselves [not Christ]. Do you not yourselves realize and know [thoroughly by an ever-increasing experience] that Jesus Christ is in you — unless you are [counterfeits] disapproved on trial and rejected? 2 Corinthians 13:5 (AMP).

As of late, I seem to be in the midst of routine doctor’s visits and check-ups. Admittedly, it has been awhile, for various reasons. But, I am getting back on track. Initially, when you visit a doctor you normally go over any past history of problems with your health, and what is currently going on, and why the visit to begin with. A routine check up is common, but sometimes a symptom of something serious shows up as a sigh of a problem. Jesus also has an examination system.

To examine in the Greek is piradzo, and means to test, endeavor, scrutinize, discipline, prove, and try, etc. Just like routine check-ups at the doctor, you need to routinely check your spiritual barometer to see if you are truly walking in faith. The best place to start is in prayer, to talk with Dr. Jesus about what’s happening in your life and any problems you are having. Good communication is vital, and, be truthful, “… worship the Father in spirit and truth,” (John 4:23) the word says. Your prayer is worship to the Lord because, in sharing yourself your showing your love for Him. He loves it!

Various reasons keep us away from spending time with the Lord. Maybe your to busy, maybe your tired, maybe your life isn’t reflecting a godly example, or maybe some sin keeps you bound to condemnation and you think your not worthy. These in reality are symptoms that need attention, ways your enemy, the devil, can keep you from a powerful life in Christ. Listen to what the word says in Proverbs 4:20-27:

“²⁰ My son, attend to my words; consent and submit to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.
²² For they are life to those who find them, healing and health to all their flesh.
²³ Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.
²⁴ Put away from you false and dishonest speech, and willful and contrary talk put far from you.
²⁵ Let your eyes look right on [with fixed purpose], and let your gaze be straight before you.
²⁶ Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright.
²⁷ Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil” Proverbs 4:20-27 (AMP).

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” Romans 10:17.

The word of God is Life, and life abundant, and brings faith to you, but the word must have a place of priority in your life. In Romans 12:2, God warns you that if you do not “renew” our mind and “prove what is that acceptable will of God,” you are a target of the enemy to take you back into the world. To follow God with purpose will take your undivided attention and diligence. Is there fruit in your walk to prove your case? You alone know the answer to this question.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 says, “prove all things, hold fast to that which is good.”

Finally, in Hebrews 4:2, it says “but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” The word of God is a sword, and I guarantee if you will be doers of the word that you hear, in faith believing that He rewards those who diligently seek Him, your life will be changed for the better forever, and you will grow by leaps and bounds. Now I know this was a very basic and fundamental teaching, but you can be set back in your walk by carelessness, and it can happen quickly.

Take the time to examine your walk with the Lord. Are you faithful with what He gives you? In your natural body, if you are careless and didn’t maintain a watchful eye on how your treating it, one day you could hear your doctor say, “I’m so sorry __________, but you have _________(disease).”

Now is the time for change!

~ Celeste Dewey

Celeste Dewey