Confronting Yourself is Tough!

It is funny how we can always see the worst in others, but somehow we always manage to find the good in ourselves. It is easy for us to criticize and critique the problems in others around us. Yet, when someone points out a flaw that we might have personally, our knee jerk reaction is to deny it. Why? We refuse to accept that we really are flawed, sinful people. Confronting yourself is tough! We don't like what we see. Yet, if we are going to change biblically and, eventually, come to a place where can help others change then we must start with our own sinful self. Jesus hit the proverbial nail on the head when He said "Judge not, that you be not judged!...Hypocrite, First remove the plank from your own eye, and they you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (Matthew 7:1, 5 NKJV) Consequently, we have deal with ourselves first. We have to daily confront ourselves with all honesty knowing that we have issues that we need to overcome.

As I mentioned in my last post, I want to share with you a questionnaire that is designed to help you evaluate yourself. This questionnaire is not original with me. It is taken from a wonderful in-depth manual for discipleship developed by John C. Broger and used by the Biblical Counseling Foundation. I would encourage you to take your time working through each question. Be honest with yourself and write down in detail your answers to each question. Here it is.

The following will help you evaluate your faithfulness as a disciple of Christ. For each question, rate yourself on a scale of 1 (no faithfulness, completer self-centeredness) to 10 (perfect faithfulness, total Christ-centeredness).

1. Are you diligent in learning to handle accurately the Word of God (2 Timothy 2:15)?
2. Do you consistently examine yourself in light of God's Word instead of comparing yourself with the lives or expectations of others (1 Samuel 16:7; Isaiah 55:8-11; Romans 3:23; 2 Corinthians 10:12; Hebrews 4:12)?
3. Are you a doer of the Word? Being a doer of the Word requires continual hearing of God's Word and walking in it to receive the blessings of the Lord (Deuteronomy 11:26-28; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 5:14; James 1:22-25). The Word is completely adequate for every area of life as it teaches, reproves, corrects, trains, and equips you in order that you may mature in Christ (2 Timothy 3:16-17). 
4. Do you deny yourself by putting off your natural self-centeredness to follow the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:38-39; Luke 9:23-24)?
5. Do you seek to please God in all things (John 8:29; 2 Corinthians 5:9; Ephesians 6:6-7; Colossians 1:10; 1 Thessalonians 2:4, 4:1; Hebrews 13:21; 1 John 3:22)?
6. Are you a person of prayer? Continual prayer, with thanksgiving, leads to God's peace guarding your heart and mind in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18).
7. Do you place the welfare of others ahead of your own, thus following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 20:25-28; Romans 15:1-3; Philippians 2:3-8)?
8. Do you love others in biblical ways (1 Corinthians 13:4-8a)? By loving in this manner, you will follow the example of our Lord Jesus Christ and will become known as His disciple (John 13:34-35, 15:12-13).
9. Are you faithfully using your spiritual gift(s) for God's glory and for the benefit of others (Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:1-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11)?
10. Do you regularly worship the Lord, remaining in fellowship and in ministry with other believers (Psalm 29:1-2, 122:1; John 4:23-24; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Peter 2:5; 1 John 1:7)?
11. Are you ready at all times to give testimony for the hope that is within you (1 Peter 3:15), giving glory to the Lord with your life (Matthew 5:16), seeking to reconcile others to God, and discipling them to walk in His way (Matthew 28:19-20; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20)?

My prayer is that you will use this tool to evaluate your spiritual maturity. Be honest with yourself. The areas that you find lacking are the areas that you need to concentrate on and, with God's help, overcome these weaknesses.