The Dangers of Excessive Self-Examination in Christianity

Self-Examination: A Dangerous and Deceptive Duty

Self-examination is a vital aspect of the Christian walk. The Bible calls us to examine ourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5; Lamentations 3:40), and this duty is not to be taken lightly. However, self-examination can be dangerous and deceptive if not approached with care. Many times, we tend to examine ourselves excessively, inaccurately, and in a way that leads to discouragement. Instead of finding joy in our walk with Christ, we end up feeling defeated and hopeless. In this article, we will explore the dangers of self-examination and how to approach it in a healthy and biblical way.

The Deception of Unhealthy Introspection

Unhealthy introspection is a daily threat to our joy in Christ. It is when we focus too much on ourselves and our shortcomings that we lose sight of Christ and His grace. Many of us tend to examine ourselves in a way that is excessive, inaccurate, and leads to discouragement. We start to believe lies such as:

"I’m failing at everything."

"I don’t like the way God made me."

"The Lord is not helping me."

"My service is worthless."

"My gifting is useless."

"My growth is hopeless."

These lies are not from God, and they do not reflect the truth of who we are in Christ. When we focus too much on ourselves, we give the enemy a foothold in our lives. He wants us to believe that we are not good enough, that we are failures, and that God cannot use us. However, the gospel speaks a better word. It tells us that we are forgiven, loved, and accepted in Christ. We are not defined by our failures, but by His grace.

The Danger of Excessive Self-Examination

Excessive self-examination can be dangerous because it can lead to self-absorption. Instead of focusing on Christ and His work in our lives, we become preoccupied with ourselves. We start to think that our spiritual growth depends on our efforts, and we forget that it is the Holy Spirit who sanctifies us. We begin to rely on ourselves instead of on God's grace, and this can lead to discouragement and despair.

Moreover, excessive self-examination can lead to legalism. We start to believe that our performance determines our standing with God, and we forget that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). We start to measure our spiritual growth by our works, and we forget that it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:13). We become like the Pharisees, who were more concerned with outward appearances than with the state of their hearts (Matthew 23:25-28).

The Importance of Balanced Self-Examination

So, how do we approach self-examination in a healthy and biblical way? First, we need to understand that self-examination is not an end in itself, but a means to an end. It is a tool that God uses to reveal sin in our lives and to lead us to repentance. Second, we need to approach self-examination with a balanced perspective. We should not ignore our sin, but neither should we dwell on it excessively. Instead, we should focus on Christ and His work in our lives, and let the Holy Spirit convict us of sin as needed.

In Matthew 7:3-5, Jesus said, "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." This passage reminds us that we should examine ourselves before we examine others. We should not be quick to judge others, but should first examine our own hearts and motives.

In 1 Corinthians 11:28-32, Paul instructed the church to examine themselves before participating in the Lord's Supper. He said, "Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world." This passage reminds us that self-examination is necessary for a worthy participation in the Lord's Supper. It also reminds us that if we judge ourselves truly, we will not be judged by the Lord.

In Psalm 139:23-24, David prayed, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" This passage reminds us that we can ask God to search our hearts and reveal any sin in our lives. We do not have to rely on our own efforts to examine ourselves, but can trust in God's guidance and grace.

Conclusion

Self-examination is an essential aspect of the Christian walk, but it can be dangerous and deceptive if not approached with care. We should not ignore our sin, but neither should we dwell on it excessively. Instead, we should focus on Christ and His work in our lives, and let the Holy Spirit convict us of sin as needed. We should approach self-examination with a balanced perspective, remembering that it is a means to an end, not an end in itself. We should also remember that we do not have to rely on our own efforts to examine ourselves, but can trust in God's guidance and grace. May we always approach self-examination with humility, wisdom, and a heart that seeks after God.