Self-Examination
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the importance of self-examination in maintaining a right and healthy Christian life.
A.W. Tozer emphasizes the necessity of self-examination for Christians, comparing an unexamined life to an unattended garden, a dirty house, and an untaught child. He argues that just as these require care and attention to thrive, so too does the Christian life need regular reflection and discipline to prevent spiritual decay. Tozer encourages believers to heed the Holy Spirit's call to examine themselves, assuring them that this process is not meant to discourage but to awaken and cultivate a fruitful spiritual life.
Text
The philosopher Socrates said, "An unexamined life is not worth living." If a common philosopher could think that, how much more we Christians ought to listen to the Holy Spirit when He says, "Examine yourself." An unexamined Christian lies like an unattended garden. Let your garden go unattended for a few months, and you will not have roses and tomatoes but weeds. An unexamined Christian life is like an unkempt house. Lock your house up as tight as you will and leave it long enough, and when you come back you will not believe the dirt that got in from somewhere. An unexamined Christian life is like an untaught child. A child that is not taught will be a little savage.
It takes examination, teaching, instruction, discipline, caring, tending, weeding and cultivating to keep the life right.
I do not want to leave you on a low note. I am trying to wake you, not discourage you. There is not a reason in the world for you to be discouraged. . . .
Sermon Outline
- The Importance of Self-Examination
- The Consequences of an Unexamined Christian Life
- The Necessity of Examination and Discipline
- Teaching and instruction
- Caring, tending, and weeding
- Cultivating a right life
Key Quotes
“An unexamined life is not worth living.” — A.W. Tozer
“An unexamined Christian lies like an unattended garden.” — A.W. Tozer
“An unexamined Christian life is like an unkempt house.” — A.W. Tozer
Application Points
- We must regularly examine ourselves to ensure our spiritual lives are healthy and thriving.
- Neglecting our spiritual lives can lead to a life of weeds and disorder.
- Self-examination and discipline are necessary for cultivating a right and healthy Christian life.