Amos 7:7-8 The LORD set a plumb line against His people, declaring, “I will no longer spare them.”

A plumb line is a small but heavy object attached to the end of a rope. When held from the top of a construction item, it provides a standard for straightness. Spiritually, God’s law is our plumb line and perfect standard by which we are measured. We shall not compare ourselves to anyone else but Jesus Christ, which we all fall short of God’s perfection.

Lamentations 3:40 Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!

Psalm 139 LORD, you know all my ways… before a word is on my tongue, you know all about it… Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.

2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.  

Matthew 7:5, 16 Take the log out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of another’s eye… You’ll recognize [Jesus’ disciples] by their fruit…

Jesus provides letters of examination to 7-churches (Revelation 2-3)

And so, we evaluate and examine if our inner life matches our external actions.

Further, we must beware of making excuses of repeated patterns of neglect or regret from sin choices. A helpful spiritual practice is the discipline of examen. A wise sage said: “the unexamined life is not worth living.” This is true. Yet also, the overexamined life is also not worth living. People can scrupulously introspect in pursuit of self-perfection, but that doesn’t lead to growth or hope. So, any spiritual examination should not create detrimental impact to one’s growth but should be revitalizing towards the fresh hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, here is a template to consider in spiritual examination of one’s life.

Additionally, you might also consider taking our GOSPEL Dashboard assessment tool.