Torah School: "Spiritual Examination"
Spiritual Examination
(How and Why We Should Do
It)
Why do we examine the things that we purchase?
We do not want others to take advantage of us; we don't want to be
cheated!
Why should we take a spiritual examination of
ourselves?
Because it is possible for a person to think they are alright
spiritually, and in reality they are not alright. A person can be deceived.
Why would people want to avoid a spiritual
examination?
Spiritual examinations can be stressful. That's why people don't like to talk or think about about their spiritual condition. Some people
do not want to face the music.
What are the benefits to performing a Spiritual
examination?
It can help us realize that maybe our walk, the things we put in front of
us, the things we participate in and the things that come out of
our mouths
may be inappropriate and not inline with Scripture.
Today we are going to talk about two kinds of examinations: one is when the
Father examines us and the other one is the need for examining ourselves.
The
Father examines and tries us:
4 Yahweh is in his holy temple; Yahweh is on his heavenly throne. He
observes the sons of men; his eyes examine them. 5 Yahweh examines the righteous, but the wicked and those who love violence his soul
hates. 6 On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur; a scorching wind will be their lot. 7 For Yahweh is
righteous, he loves justice; upright
men will see his face. Ps 11:4-7
2 Test me, O YAHWEH, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; Ps 26:2
10 "I Yahweh, search the
heart and examine the mind, to reward
a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." Jer 17:10
Search OT 2713 (used 27x’s) chaqar (khaw-kar'); a
primitive root; properly, to penetrate; hence, to examine intimately:
KJV - find out, (make) search (out), seek (out),
sound, try.
Examine
OT:974 (used 29 x’s) bachan (baw-khan'); a primitive root; to test (especially
metals); generally and figuratively, to investigate: KJV - examine, prove,
tempt, try (trial).
The
Hebrew idea of when Yahweh examines us:
not surface or superficial but deep soul searching; we can fool ourselves and
others but it is impossible to fool Yahweh!
It is important to understand that Yahweh does not
force us to change: he commands it through his words; his words are like refined
fire that makes us pure!
3 Though you probe my heart and examine
me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my
mouth will not sin. Ps 17:3
OT:6884 (used 33 x’s) tsaraph
(tsaw-raf'); a primitive root; to fuse (metal), i.e. refine (literally
or figuratively): KJV - cast, (re-) fine (-er), founder, goldsmith, melt, pure,
purge away, try.
Examining or punishing how can we tell the
difference?
The
fact is that we sometimes can’t tell the difference to when our Father is
examining refining us, or punishing us. But we are given some clues
as to whether he is with us or against us.
6 Observe the commands of YHWH your Elohim, walking in his ways and
revering him. Deut 8:6-7
One of the clues as to whether or we are being
punished or being examined for our own good can be based on the principle of
obedience. Are we being obedient to his every word, or are we being neglectful
to it? Do we keep the Sabbath with a sincere heart or do we have regrets about
it? Do we go around gossiping and mocking the brethren or do we work towards
respect and unity? Do we pray for those who persecute us or do we wish them ill?
Do we rejoice for others when they excel before us or are we jealous of them? Do
we seek a spiritual walk or do we rejoice with material goods? Do
we tithe to Yahweh or do we steal from him? Those are the questions that we must
ask ourselves with regards to whether or not we are being punished or being
examined.
The
example of Job:
When we study the book of Job we realize that
essentially the book is about self examination. Job asks the question, what did
I do deserve such punishment? After an analysis and a discussion with his
friends he acknowledges that he has done nothing wrong! Thus his faith never
waivered and he remained loyal to Yahweh and so Yahweh blessed him. The fact of
course is that Yahweh was blessing him the whole time; when we are examined by
Yahweh we are in effect being blessed by him.
Examining
ourselves: Not the easiest thing to do!
40 Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to Yahweh. 41 Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to Elohim in heaven..
Lam 3:40-41
Examining ourselves is one of those necessary
things that we must do but it can also be very hard to do. Many people have a
hard enough time when others tell them that what they are doing is wrong! How
many of us man have been perhaps watching something on television and perhaps
our wives walk in and immediately began to ridicule it as inappropriate? Perhaps
we agree with them, perhaps we don’t, but either way we don’t like to be
told what to do. Maybe you hang out with people who like to drink and sometimes
you yourself drink too much to the point of getting drunk; definitely not the
smartest thing to do when we are supposed to be walking in the Spirit. Bit we
don’t like to be told what to do, do we?
Spiritual examination can be a hard process but is
mandatory and it is an obligation for all of us who want to be walking with our
Heavenly Father and our Savior Yahshua.
2 Cor 13:5-14
5 Examine
yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not
realize that Yahshua is in
you-unless, of course, you fail the test? 6 And I trust that
you will discover that we have not failed the test. 7 Now we pray to Elohim that
you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that
we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may
seem to have failed. 8 For we cannot do anything against the
truth, but only for the truth. 9 We are glad whenever we are weak but you are
strong; and our prayer is for your perfection. 10 This is why
I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be
harsh in my use of authority-the authority Yahweh gave me for
building you up, not for tearing you down. 11 Finally, brothers, …Aim for
perfection, listen to my appeal, be of one mind, live in peace. And
the Elohim of love and peace will be with you. 12 Greet one another with a holy
kiss. 13 All the saints send their greetings. 14 May the
grace of Yahshua Messiah, and the love of Elohim, and the fellowship of the Holy
Spirit be with you all.
A good meter
to self examination is by checking our conscience; this is that little voice
that we all have, that on many occasions will tell us that we are doing something wrong.
For example when we are sitting in front of the computer and we purposely or
intently look at unwholesome pictures; or perhaps we covet someone
else’s wife, husband or property. Or perhaps when we are talking to someone
about somebody else in a disdainful way and our little
voice tells us that we ought not to be doing it. Or maybe we knowingly lie so
that we can do something wrong!
When we examine ourselves we are essentially checking
the condition of our hearts! We have to take stock of everything in our lives
both internally and externally! If we fail to examine ourselves the consequences
can be severe. We are therefore exhorted to examine ourselves before we partake
of the emblems because the penalty will be severe:
1 Cor
11:27-32
27 Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks Yahshua’s cup in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against his body and blood. 28 A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29 For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of Yahshua and drinks judgment on himself. 30 That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. 31 But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. 32 When we are judged by Yahweh, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.
The meaning for the above word recognize gives the idea of discriminating or to separate thoroughly. Meaning that when we examine ourselves and we find sin in our lives, we immediately separate ourselves from that sin and we cling to the salvation that Yahshua brought through his sacrifice. If we continue to walk in sin and then if we partake of his body through the emblems, they essentially become a judgment (a curse) to us.
Our Heavenly Father does not play games, he is very
serious about those who will be in the Kingdom! He will separate the goats from
the sheep. Thus He will not settle for sin, he will destroy sin and all who walk
in it!
Eph 5:3-7
3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for Elohim's holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person-such a man is an idolater-has any inheritance in the kingdom of Yahshua and of Yahweh. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things Elohim’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them.
The fact is that there are no secrets before Yahweh, we can come to the assembly or walk amongst our family and friends and act righteous and we will fool one another but Yahweh will not be fooled nor mocked:
Eph 5:8-21
8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in Yahweh. Live as
children of light 9 (for the fruit of the light consists in
all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and find out what pleases Yahweh. 11 Have
nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather
expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in
secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes
visible, 14 for it is light that makes
everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake
up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Messiah
will shine on you." 15 Be very careful, then, how you live-not as unwise
but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because
the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what Yahweh’s will is. 18 Do not
get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead,
be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and
spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to Yahweh, 20
always giving thanks to Elohim the Father for everything, in the name of our
Savior Yahshua the Messiah. 21 Submit to one another out of
reverence for Yahshua.
Praise Yahweh!