Redpath’s Self-Examination Questions

The Christians life is sometimes complicated in that it often requires us to walk a balance. It is easy to run to one extreme or another, and the enemy of our soul is happy for us to follow one extreme as the other.

One area where balance is necessary is the place of self-examination. Too much looking inward, too much self-examination, is a bad thing. The focus of the Christian life is Jesus Christ, not self. We are to die to self and live to Jesus. On the other side, to never spend time in true self-examination is also dangerous. We must, from time to time, examine our life and work (1 Corinthians 11:28, 2 Corinthians 13:5, and Galatians 6:4).

Many years ago, I read this section by Alan Redpath, taken from his wonderful book on Nehemiah, Victorious Christian Service. I recommend it to you as a good checklist of self-examination, and trust that you will use it properly.

Self-Examination Questions

by Alan Redpath

Some time ago at an all-night of prayer in my church I read a list I use myself called “Self-examination questions,” because I am desperately concerned in my own life on these things. I want to give this list to you, lest you think it is a comfortable, easy sort of business, this recognition of sin:

WHAT ABOUT MY RELATIONSHIP WITH MEN?

Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am a better man than I really am? Is there the least suspicion of hypocrisy in my life? Am I honest in all my words and acts? Do I exaggerate?

Am I reliable? Can I be trusted? Do I confidentially pass on what was told to me in confidence? Do I grumble and complain in the church?

Am I jealous, impure, irritable, touchy, distrustful? Am I self- conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying? Am I proud? Do I thank God I am not as other people? Is there anyone I fear, or dislike, or criticize, or resent? If so, what am I doing about it?

WHAT ABOUT MY DEVOTION TO GOD?

Does the Bible live to me? Do I give it time to speak to me? Do I go to bed in time and do I get up in time?

Am I enjoying my prayer life today? Did I enjoy it this morning? When I am involved in a problem in life, do I talk about it or pray about it?

Am I disobeying God in anything, or insisting upon doing something about which my conscience is very uneasy?

When did I last speak to someone else with the object of trying to win him for Christ?

Am I a slave to books, dress, friends, work, or what others think? How do I spend my spare time?

ALAN REDPATH, VICTORIUS CHRISTIAN SERVICE