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For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone
who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to
think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of
faith. (Romans 12:3)
Self-evaluation is often a difficult thing. It is hard
for us to look at ourselves objectively. We all believe that we are
correct, so we may not challenge our arguments. We desire to do what is
right, so we may not justify our actions. No one automatically thinks
that he is in the wrong. It is easy for me to think that I am in the
right.
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who
heeds counsel is wise. (Proverbs 12:15)
If even a fool feels right, I truly need to carefully look at myself.
We find it easy to examine others. In fact, we tend to
be quite harsh when we judge them. Without regard to our own
weaknesses, we may judge others much more strictly than we would judge
ourselves:
Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own
eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your
brother's eye. (Matthew 7:5)
We would do well to spend more time questioning at
ourselves than criticizing others. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth
that they should stop trying to judge him, but rather, Examine
yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
(2 Corinthians 13:5)
That is not to say that we should not correct sin in
others. Yet we should be careful, for we often make mistakes.
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who
are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)
Without serious reflection about our own weaknesses, we
easily fall into condemnation.
Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they
were righteous, and despised
others. . . . (Luke 18:9)
The standard of judgment--for ourselves or others--must
be God's word. We are not much interested in satisfying our own selves
or even our brethren. We want to please God.
But with me it is a very small thing that I
should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even
judge myself. For I know nothing against myself, yet I am not justified
by this; but He who judges me is the Lord.
(1 Corinthians 4:3-4)
We might easily excuse ourselves, our brethren might
even excuse us, but that does not mean we please God. There is only one
"mirror" that can show us what we really are: For if anyone is a hearer
of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face
in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately
forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law
of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a
doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. (James
1:23-25)
A mirror is useless if we do not correct our appearance.
Study and self-examination is likewise worthless unless it produces
change.
The scriptures contain ample warning about how serious
this matter is. We must judge ourselves with sober thinking. There are
character flaws that can "derail" us spiritually, though they seem
small to us:
If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and
does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one's
religion is useless. Pure and undefiled religion before God and the
Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to
keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:26-27)
God is only pleased with those who guard their speech!
Imagine all of the good works, all of the prayers and all of the
assemblies that are worthless because many people do not watch their
tongues!
We must watch not just what we do, but why we do it. For
example, God says that only deeds motivated by love are worthwhile. (1
Corinthians 13:1-3)
It is not wrong for us to feel good when doing good. But
we must be careful at all times. I must not think too highly of myself.
That would result in spiritual catastrophe. I must think soberly about
myself if I want to please God.
Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he
fall. (1 Corinthians 10:12)
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