1 Corinthians 11:28
But a person must prayerfully examine himself and his relationship to Christ, and only when he has done so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup. AMP
Today we dwell a little more on the power and wisdom of introspection, stemming from the revelation of the four living creatures’ possession of internal sight (Rev 4:8b).
Introspection is the process of examining your own thoughts, attitudes or feelings. It is quite possible, beloved, for one to be good at circumspection but poor at introspection. The former is about being aware of one’s circumstances and the attendant risks and so forth. The latter is about self-scrutiny.
Our text today instructs us to examine our internal world before we partake of Holy Communion. It also points out the tragic results of failing to examine ourselves–succumbing to weakness, illness and even premature death (see v30)!
It goes on to explain, “But if we evaluated and judged ourselves honestly, recognising our shortcomings and correcting our behaviour, we would not be judged” (1 Cor. 11:31). Dear saints, if we invested more time in inspecting our own motives, thought patterns and conduct rather than judging others, we would be better saints! See also 2 Cor. 13:5.
Let the Holy Spirit empower you with insight and discernment of the enormous divine potential within you. Let every destructive desire, stronghold of argument or thought within be pulled down by our mighty weapons of spiritual warfare (2 Cor. 10:4-5).
Pastor Josh