Yed Anikpo created an app called Heartpoints to help Christians track their spiritual progress. Users of the app can review their daily history to rejoice over victories and to repent of sins. According to Anikpo, “Heartpoints [can] help us capture [what] makes up our walk today so that we can examine it and use [it] to inform . . . our pilgrimage tomorrow.”
Spiritual self-examination is a part of an ongoing relationship with God (1 Corinthians 11:27-28). It shows us our need for forgiveness. Peering into our own souls can also uncover sin that may be the cause of suffering in our lives.
The Israelites needed to engage in some collective soul-searching during a time of intense distress. The atrocities they had endured resulted from ignoring God’s standards. The writer of Lamentations questioned them: “Why should we . . . complain when we are punished for our sins?” (Lamentations 3:39). Instead, the writer urged, “Let us test and examine our ways” (Lamentations 3:40). When the Israelites had owned up to their sin and repented, they once again possessed hope for the future (Lamentations 3:55-57).
Assessing our spiritual state isn’t simply about confessing our sins to God. It’s about avoiding sin in the first place. Jesus encouraged His disciples to “keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation” (Matthew 26:41). In our quest for holiness, Jesus doesn’t want Satan to be able to sneak up on us.
With or without technology, God is pleased when we look closely at the state of our souls in a healthy way. Seeing and confessing our sin keeps us humble before Him. Best of all, it helps us to understand the great depth of His grace and love for us.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 10:35-52
More:
Read 2 Corinthians 13:5 to see what spiritual self-examination can reveal about your faith. Look up Psalm 26:1-3 to see how David boldly invited God to examine his heart.
Next:
Today, ask God to reveal areas of hidden sin in your heart. What’s one way you can become more devoted to the practice of spiritual self-examination?
Gary Shultz on August 26, 2014 at 6:47 am
Tanks for the untech inclusion. The mind is the field where life is played. An app may be a cool reminder tool, but I really need God’s to help pry some of the sludge out. Thanks for reminding us we need to look upward and inward often.
jennifer benson schuldt on August 26, 2014 at 11:58 am
Hi Gary,
I don’t have the app on my phone, but the idea of it made me stop and think. 🙂 I agree with you–the spirit to spirit communion with God is the central thing here. Technology can get in the way.
Today I have been thinking about how Jesus’ sacrifice makes it possible for us to approach God with confidence (Hebrews 4:16). Through Christ, God’s grace is available to us as we examine the motives and attitudes within.
Winn Collier on August 26, 2014 at 4:14 pm
I’ve used the Prayer of Examen for this purpose. This act is important.
poohpity on August 27, 2014 at 10:40 am
If looking within keeps us from looking around it is all good but it seems best to look up. If we had the ability to change ourselves self examination would be right up there on the things to do list but in knowing the changing of our heart, behaviors and attitudes comes from God. Then one can say with all certainty as Isaiah did in Isaiah 64:8 and David did in Psalm 139 that the Lord who knows us so well is in the business of completing the work started in us and He is able to point out the things displeasing to Him and will change them in the process of yielding to His presence.