Heart Examination
May 18, 2025
Dr. Paul Cannings
Many people go for a yearly physical exam, but have you ever taken a spiritual one?
Many years ago, I took my son to the doctor. There was a lot of probing and then came the needle. That is when my son jumped off the table and ran out of the examining room with me chasing him. Driving to the doctor’s office went well; lots of good car talk, waiting for the doctor, and good playtime, but then came the exam. We may not mind coming to church (well…….; Hebrews 10:23-26), singing songs, or hearing the message, but the probing that can make us upset and run?
One of the signs that our hearts are more committed to how the world thinks than what the Word of God teaches is a hostile mindset to God’s Word when we don’t like what He has to say (Romans 8:5-8). This can eventually lead to spiritual death (Ephesians 4:17-24). A freshness of the Spirit matures us to a thirst for the Word of God (1 Peter 2:1-2). It is easy for a lake to become stagnant if there is no stream of water or rain that keeps it fresh. It needs a constant pouring into and freshness for the oxygen to create energy for everything in it (Hebrews 5:11-15).
The energy that comes using our spiritual gifts for the building up of Christ body, the church, stimulates persistent growth for each person and everyone around us (Ephesians 4:16). Spiritual gifts, which we are commanded to apply (1 Peter 4:10), engage the Godhead who powerfully works in us and through us (1 Cor. 12:4-8), maturating us to become more controlled by the Holy Spirit than the influences of the flesh or false doctrine (ph. 4:12-16). Like exercise that gets the oxygen flowing in our bodies and muscles developing in it can even keep a person who has been a believer for some time FRESH.
One of the experiences in the ‘examining room’ that can make us run is the challenge of loving those who don’t like us or may even hate us. There is a reward for loving this person (Matthew 5:43-48). It is a probing no one may like and sometimes causes some individuals to run. This is why Christ said, “all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35; Matthew 22:34-40). In other words, we know spiritual growth by this. Christ’s heart was fully manifested when Jesus on the cross said, “Father forgive them….” (Luke 23:34) after everything that was done to Him.
Where does this brief spiritual exam leave you? If you need a longer exam, you cannot go wrong with Christ. Paul lost everything (Philippians 3:4-8) but gained more (Phil. 2:21) and, in the end, became just like Christ (Gal. 2:20; Col. 3:1-4).
Are you running from your best life?