Self-Examaination
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of self-examination and living according to God's commandments for a more improved Christian life.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of self-examination for a fruitful Christian life, urging believers to align their lives with the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount and other New Testament scriptures. He advocates for a humble approach to self-assessment, recommending that individuals engage in this practice on their knees, ready to obey God's commandments. Tozer warns against the distractions of modern entertainment that can hinder spiritual growth, suggesting that a serious-minded attitude is essential for cultivating a healthy spiritual life. He likens the process of self-examination to the diligent work of Isaac's laborers, who, though unglamorous, achieved their goal of opening wells. Ultimately, Tozer calls for a radical change in habits to foster a more conducive environment for spiritual development.
Text
. . . Well, here are some suggestions which anyone can follow and which, I am convinced, will result in a wonderfully improved Christian life. . . .
6. Bring your life into accord with the Sermon on the Mount and such other New Testament Scriptures as are designed to instruct us in the way of righteousness. An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly. I recommend that the self-examination be made on our knees, rising to obey God's commandments as they are revealed to us from the Word. There is nothing romantic or colorful about this plain, downright way of dealing with ourselves, but it gets the work done. Isaac's workmen did not look like heroic figures as they digged in the valley, but they got the wells open, and that was what they had set out to do.
7. Be serious-minded. You can well afford to see fewer comedy shows on TV. Unless you break away from the funny boys, every spiritual impression will continue to be lost to your heart, and that right in your own living room. The people of the world used to go to the movies to escape serious thinking about God and religion. You would not join them there, but you now enjoy spiritual communion with them in your own home. The devil's ideals, moral standards and mental attitudes are being accepted by you without your knowing it. And you wonder why you can make no progress in your Christian life. Your interior climate is not favorable to the growth of spiritual graces. There must be a radical change in your habits or there will not be any permanent improvement in your interior life.
Sermon Outline
- Self-Examination
- Bring life into accord with New Testament Scriptures
- Use an honest and open Bible for self-examination
- Make self-examination on our knees, obeying God's commandments
Key Quotes
“An honest man with an open Bible and a pad and pencil is sure to find out what is wrong with him very quickly.” — A.W. Tozer
“There is nothing romantic or colorful about this plain, downright way of dealing with ourselves, but it gets the work done.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- Make self-examination a regular practice to identify areas of improvement in your Christian life.
- Be serious-minded and intentional about your spiritual growth to avoid being influenced by worldly values.
- Break away from sinful habits and make choices that align with God's will for a more improved Christian life.