IntrospectionIntrospectionor, “Self-Reflection”or, “Self-Reflection”

2 Corinthians 132 Corinthians 13

Background

2 Cor. 13:5 Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you--unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Cor. 13:2-3 I already gave you a warning when I was with you the second time. I now repeat it while absent: On my return I will not spare those who sinned earlier or any of the others, [3] since you are demanding proof that Christ is speaking through me. He is not weak in dealing with you, but is powerful among you.

““Examine Yourselves…”Examine Yourselves…”Introspection: looking within.

– Playing with the dark sewage inside:• “I’m such a nerd!”• “No wonder nobody likes me…”• “Why am I so cursed to be me!?”

– It includes the Evil Emperor syndrome:• “I’m so hot!”• “Someday everyone will see my genius!”• “Why am I surrounded by such fools!?”

““Examine Yourselves…”Examine Yourselves…”Introspection: looking within.Biblical Problems with Introspection

1 Cor. 4:3-4 But to me it is a 1 Cor. 4:3-4 But to me it is a very very small thing that I may be examined small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in by you, or by any human court; in fact, fact, I do not even examine myselfI do not even examine myself. .

……we wouldn’t dare say that we are as we wouldn’t dare say that we are as wonderful as these other men who tell wonderful as these other men who tell you how important they are! But they are you how important they are! But they are only comparing themselves with each only comparing themselves with each other, using themselves as the standard other, using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant! of measurement. How ignorant! 2 Corinthians 10:12 2 Corinthians 10:12

A A Contradiction?Contradiction?

“…“…using themselves as the standard of using themselves as the standard of measurement. How ignorant!” measurement. How ignorant!” 2 Cor. 10:122 Cor. 10:12

““Examine Yourselves…”Examine Yourselves…”Introspection: looking within.Scriptural ProblemsThe shifting winds of self-examination

FIRE !!!

““Examine Yourselves…”Examine Yourselves…”Introspection: looking within.Scriptural ProblemsSubjectivity: a shifting basis…Mixed Motives

– Not entirely free from bad motives.– Some are hard to discern.– How many“bad” motives

are still “good” ?

For from the heart come evil thoughts, For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. lying, and slander. Matthew 15:19 Matthew 15:19

““Examine Yourselves…”Examine Yourselves…”Introspection: looking within.Scriptural ProblemsThe shifting winds of self-examinationMixed MotivesThe self-deceit of self-examination

Those who trust their own insight are Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in [God’s] foolish, but anyone who walks in [God’s] wisdom is safe. wisdom is safe. Proverbs 28:26 Proverbs 28:26

““The heart is more deceitful than all else The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can And is desperately sick; Who can understand it?”understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9 Jeremiah 17:9

The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil The hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead. their lives. Afterwards they go to the dead. Ecclesiastes 9:3 Ecclesiastes 9:3

““Examine Yourselves…”Examine Yourselves…”Introspection: looking within.Scriptural ProblemsThe shifting winds of self-examinationThe deceit of self-examinationMixed MotivesNeither godly or spiritual…

– The “spiritual discipline” of introspection:not a biblical concept.John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the branches; he

who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Luke, search Luke, search your feelings…your feelings…

The Bible is a Heresy in Today’s The Bible is a Heresy in Today’s World!World!

OR: “…insanity is in their hearts OR: “…insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives…” throughout their lives…” Ecclesiastes 9:3 Ecclesiastes 9:3

Examining the Heart Biblical Examining the Heart Biblical WayWay

The heart is God’s domain!The heart is God’s domain!

1 Cor. 4:3-4 “…in fact, I do not even 1 Cor. 4:3-4 “…in fact, I do not even examine myself…but the one who examine myself…but the one who examines me is the Lord!”examines me is the Lord!”"The heart is more deceitful than all else "The heart is more deceitful than all else

And is desperately sick; Who can And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? understand it? "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind!” mind!” Jeremiah 17:9-10 Jeremiah 17:9-10

Understanding Yourself:Understanding Yourself:the Good News!the Good News!

We We cancan recognize blatant issues… recognize blatant issues…1 Cor. 4:4a For I am 1 Cor. 4:4a For I am conscious of nothing conscious of nothing

against myselfagainst myself… … Motives that result in Motives that result in ActionsActions……

God does reveal!God does reveal!1 Cor. 4:4b …but the one who examines me 1 Cor. 4:4b …but the one who examines me

is the Lord.is the Lord.Philip. 3:15 …and if in anything you have a

different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;

The “Discipline of Introspection”

A Sin-Focused Approach to God– Spiritual Hypochondriosis

Lacks a Christ-Centered Life:– John 15:5 "I am the vine, you are the

branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

Self-Absorption

Healthy vs Unhealthy ‘Reflection’Healthy vs Unhealthy ‘Reflection’

In Adam:In Adam: AloneAlone NeedyNeedy Insignificance Insignificance

ProblemProblem GuiltyGuilty Horizontal Horizontal

ViewpointViewpoint

In Christ:In Christ: Not AloneNot Alone Other’s NeedsOther’s Needs Settled Settled

SignificanceSignificance ForgivenForgiven Horizontal & Horizontal &

VerticalVertical Viewpoint Viewpoint

Romans 6:11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to

God in Christ Jesus.

Obtaining God’s Viewpoint:

2 Cor. 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test?

δοκιμαζω‘Analyze’

ðåéñÜæù ‘Prove’

Healthy ‘Reflection’“…the one who examines me is the Lord.” 1 Cor. 4:4b

God-Supervised Reflection:“Search me, O God, and know my heart;Try me and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there be any hurtful way in me,And lead me in the everlasting way.” Ps. 139:23f

Things we may not even know:“For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted…” 1 Cor. 4:4a

A Call For Balance:A Call For Balance:

Introspective?Introspective? Is it Is it MotivatingMotivating You? You? Is it godly Is it godly ReflectionReflection, or self-centered , or self-centered IntrospectionIntrospection?? Is it Is it AccusationAccusation or godly or godly ConvictionConviction??

Leading an Un-Examined Life?Leading an Un-Examined Life? Ephes. 5:17 “So then Ephes. 5:17 “So then do not be foolishdo not be foolish, but understand what , but understand what

the will of the Lord is.”the will of the Lord is.” Psalm 32:9 “Do not be as the horse or as the mule which Psalm 32:9 “Do not be as the horse or as the mule which

have no understanding,have no understanding,Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check.Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check.

A Call For Balance:A Call For Balance:

Introspective?Introspective? Is it Is it MotivatingMotivating You? You? Is it godly Is it godly ReflectionReflection, or self-centered , or self-centered IntrospectionIntrospection?? Is it Is it AccusationAccusation or godly or godly ConvictionConviction??

Leading an Un-Examined Life?Leading an Un-Examined Life? Ephes. 5:17 “So then Ephes. 5:17 “So then do not be foolishdo not be foolish, but understand what , but understand what

the will of the Lord is.”the will of the Lord is.” Psalm 32:9 “Do not be as the horse or as the mule which Psalm 32:9 “Do not be as the horse or as the mule which

have no understanding,have no understanding,Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check.Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check.