Spiritual Check-Up 101 - The Crosswalk Devotional - September 12

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Spiritual Check-Up 101
By Lynette Kittle

Bible Reading:
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will. – Romans 12:2

Like we go to the doctor or the dentist, do we go to God for a spiritual check-up to see how we’re doing spiritually overall? 

Or, do we look at the surrounding crowds of individuals around us, comparing our current condition with how they are doing, checking the latest celebrity Christians to measure ourselves next to them and see if we’re spiritually keeping up?

Are we measuring our spiritual condition with the world then deciding whether we’re doing better or worse than them, whispering a ‘thank you” to God that we’re not walking in their shoes, relieved about ourselves, but not being very gracious when it comes to those who are struggling?

Many of us may not realize that looking at others to feel better about ourselves is prideful along with having a haughty spirit. In comparing ourselves to others around us, we’re setting ourselves up to fall, as Proverbs 16:18 warns: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

God’s Word Sets the Standard

Of course, as Christians, we know deep down that people aren’t how we measure our spiritual condition, but rather the word of God is what we need to hold up to our lives, to see how we’re doing.

2 Corinthians 13:5 urges us to, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test?”

When we do, it alerts us and points out areas in our lives where we may be off-track and needing of correction and that is probably why many of us are reluctant to examine ourselves, because we may not want to know the truth or like what we find. 

The Apostle Paul’s Self-Examination

Many of us think of the Apostle Paul as a Saint, yet, in his own words, he counted himself the worst of sinners, which is hard for us to believe because he wrote most of the New Testament. 

Still, he wrote in 1 Timothy 1:15. “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

He recognized that sin is sin and there is no difference between being a big sinner and a little sinner, because all sin leads to destruction.

Nowadays, many of us judge how well we are doing spiritually by checking social media updates, seeing how we’re doing in comparison to others, measuring their successes and losses against our own..

Still, again, Paul brings us to looking at God’s standards rather than man’s, stressing to us in Romans 12:2, that we are not to conform to human patterns but to be transformed by God’s word, renewing our minds. 

Keep Pressing on Towards Jesus

Paul didn’t get caught up with what those around him were doing but said, “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

He focused on his own spiritual condition, keeping his eyes on Jesus, and careful not to let the world dictate how he lived his life by resisting conforming to it.

As well, the Apostle John warned in 1 John 2:15, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”

Intersecting Faith & Life:
How are you doing spiritually? Are you checking God’s Word to see how you’re measuring up to His standards? If not, set time aside to check in and see how you’re doing with the transforming and renewing of your mind.

Further Reading:
Are You Grieving the Holy Spirit?

Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Ralf Geithe

Lynette Kittle is married with four daughters. She enjoys writing about faith, marriage, parenting, relationships, and life. Her writing has been published by Focus on the Family, Decision, Today’s Christian Woman, kirkcameron.com, Ungrind.org, StartMarriageRight.com, and more. She has a M.A. in Communication from Regent University and serves as associate producer for Soul Check TV.

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