Spiritual Checkup--Part Two. Romans 3.9-18

This is Part two of “Time for a checkup … a spiritual one.”

Some people avoid getting physicals because they know they need to lose weight before they see the doctor, or they need to start that promised
exercise program, or they just plain do not want to hear that something
could be wrong with them!

I don’t really have any qualms about getting a physical, but what I really need is a spiritual exam—something that would show how I am
growing in God’s grace, or by contrast, whether my heart has grown hard,
or I have chosen to ‘gloss over’ compromise in my life. Unfortunately,
many of us are like the frog in the water on the stove—lulled into
thinking everything is okay when the water is warm, still okay when the
water is hot, but dead in the water when it begins to boil. I
mean that we do not see that we are on a slippery slope with sin, and
do not correct ourselves until great damage has been done. We ignore the early warning signs—we silence the little voice of conviction in our heads … ‘you know what I mean? We do so because we think, ‘hey, I’m okay, a little of this won’t hurt anybody… besides, I’m entitled.’

I take you again to the mirror Paul held up to his Jewish questioners. “What then? Are we better than they? Not at all. For we have previously charged both Jews and Greeks that they are all under sin. As it is written: “ There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one.” “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”;“ The poison of asps is under their lips” “ Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; Destruction and misery are in their ways; And the way of peace they have not known.”“ There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Romans 3.9-18, NKJV (all of the quoted material is referenced in part one of this briefing, Time for a checkup—a spiritual one)

Paul brilliantly strings together three aspects of our lives which reflect the content of our hearts: character, speech, and conduct. If the Holy Spirit was filling out a super bill (you know one of those sheets of paper where the doctor checks boxes for your diagnosis, and then uses it to
bill your insurance), how would he assess your health in terms of
character, speech and conduct?

First, a prayer from Psalm 139—‘Search us, O God, and know our hearts; try us and know our thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.’

Character - the mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual. Character is the part of us that we want transformed, so that as a whole, we become more like Christ. Take a look at yourself, and ask, ‘Would the Holy Spirit say that in the last year I am being changed for the better--becoming pure of heart,
desirous of holy living?’ Yes, No—why?_________________

What comes out of our mouths is a definite giveaway as to what is in our hearts. Think of the things that you say, think of how you joke, gossip, or rip someone apart … are your words uplifting? Paul wrote to the Ephesians, ‘Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only what is good for building someone up, that it may
benefit those who listen.’1 Ask ‘Would the Holy Spirit say there is room for improvement on what I say? How so? What do I need to alter?’_____________________________________

The third thing Paul highlights is conduct—the way we act, the things we set our hands to do, the activities in which we engage, the places we
go, the impact we have on other people. ‘Would my family,
neighbors, and cohorts say I have a positive influence on them? _____
What would the Holy Spirit say I could
improve?_________________________________________

It is in walking with God that man knows peace. Jesus looked at those he loved and said, “Peace I leave you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, give I to you. . .”2 Apart from God, there is no lasting peace.

This little checkup has been brief, but I pray you will seek the Holy Spirit, and with his help, take a look inside yourself. I am praying for you just now.

Christine