Many who think they are still in faith are gradually backsliding and many who think they are still standing have fallen unknowingly to them.

Let the word of God be the standard for your self examination!

How often do you examine yourself?

According to the Oxford mini dictionary, to examine is to observe or inspect carefully or critically.
It is also to determine the aptitude, skills, knowledge, strength, weakness or qualifications of someone by subjecting them to an examination.

Before any student, no matter how brilliant or smart can progress to another level in his or her educational pursuit, he or she must be subjected to an examination.

The results of such examination depend whether there will be promotion, stagnation or even retrogression.

It is therefore safe to say that, no examination, no promotion!

How should you examine yourself?

In the place of self examination, do not compare yourself with anyone.

Examine Yourself Financially

There is a great need for us to examine ourselves financially.

Ecclesiastes 5:5"AMP:It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay."

From the Bible reference above, we can see the advise and warning not to pledge what we can not redeem.

Many have made a lot of financial commitment, promises and vows but are unable to fulfill it or they have totally forgotten about it.

Again, many are not paying tithes and offering commensurate with their earnings or profit.
There are so many believers, CEO's managers, employers of Labour giving peanuts as tithes or offering.

If you are engaged in the attitude of being miserly in the place of paying tithes and offering, you are only shortchanging yourself!

Furthermore, there are some so called believers who do not have financial integrity i.e, they borrow money, but when it's time to pay back, they always have one excuse or the other.

According to Romans 13:8, do not borrow or owe any man.
Psalm 37:21"AMP:The wicked borrow and pay not again [for they may be unable], but the [uncompromisingly] righteous deal kindly and give [for they are able]."

From the Bible reference above, only the wicked borrows and do not pay back.

Whether you are a believer or not, if you borrow and do not pay back, you are simply a wicked fellow!

You need to seek the help of the Holy Spirit to examine yourself financially and make restitution were and when necessary!

If you are not faithful in the little God has committed to your care, he can not trust you with more resources.

Examine Yourself In Obedience To God

Another area we must not fail to examine ourselves is in the place of obedience to God.

John 14:15"AMP:If you [really] love Me, you will keep (obey) My commands."

From the Bible reference above, one way to examine yourself if you really and truly love God is complete and absolute obedience to his word and commandments.

All his commandments have been summarized just into two parts.
Matthew 22:37-39"
(37) AMP:And He replied to him, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (intellect).
(38) AMP:This is the great (most important, principal) and first commandment.
(39) AMP:And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself."

The problem with the world now is lack of genuine love, for God and towards our neighbors!

Let the love of God fill your hearts and feel free to express it towards your neighbor!

How much do you love God, yourself and your neighbor?

God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Ensure you are not selfish with the love of God.

Examine Your Salvation

Your self examination is incomplete without including your salvation.

Philippians 2:12"AMP:Therefore, my dear ones, as you have always obeyed [my suggestions], so now, not only [with the enthusiasm you would show] in my presence but much more because I am absent, work out (cultivate, carry out to the goal, and fully complete) your own salvation with reverence and awe and trembling (self-distrust, with serious caution, tenderness of conscience, watchfulness against temptation, timidly shrinking from whatever might offend God and discredit the name of Christ)."

From the Bible reference above, we have been encouraged and advised to consciously, unconsciously and even subconsciously work out our salvation daily with fear and trembling.

How do you examine your salvation?

First, check your thirst and hunger for the word of God.

Second, check your level of commitment towards the things of God.

Again, check your passion and attitude to attending fellowship with brethren.

Furthermore, check your giving and prayer lifestyle.

There are some new generation believers who fail to examine their salvation because they have been brainwashed to believe that once you give your life to Jesus Christ, you are forever saved even when you sin, God will always forgive you without you asking for forgiveness.

Let the word of God be the benchmark and standard for examining your salvation and not the doctrines and philosophy of men!

However, you can not examine your salvation if you are not saved in the first place.

If you are yet to open your mouth, confess and declare Jesus Christ as your Lord and personal savior, do so now because procrastination or delay is dangerous!

It is quite unfortunate that many give more attention and priority to their profession at the expense of their salvation. Take time to work out your salvation!

Source: http://www.thebelievershub.com/2019/04/examine-yourself-regularly.html