SUMMARY:
Salvation is just the beginning of a relationship with God.
After a person becomes a believer, he or sheshould develop a deeper relationship with theFather, learn more spiritual truth, and begin toserve the Lord somehow.For some, spiritual progress takes off after they’re saved and never stops. Others never grow at all because they view salvation as merely aguarantee of heaven.A third group begins strong,but later weakens.These believers may continueto give, attend church, and pray, but their spiritualgrowth stagnates.No matter how long a person has been saved,his or her life should be characterized by growth. So if we lose our spiritual fervor, you andI need to pray,“Search me, O God, and know my heart . . . see if there be any hurtful way in me,and lead me in the everlasting way”(Ps.139:23-24).
SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES:
The Request
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The request stated:
On a regular basis, wemust ask the Lord to examine our lives. He knowsus better than we know ourselves and can revealhidden sins and harmful attitudes (Ps.139:1-4).God will show us relationships that aren’t right,areas where we are no longer growing, anddistractions that hinder our walk with Him.
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The motivation for the request:
Why didDavid ask God to evaluate his life? I believe hedidn’t want to become like the wicked menhe knew (Ps.139:19-22). Our determination toobey the Father can be strengthened when weunderstand the consequences of sinful choicesthrough Scripture or by observing the lives of other people.
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The nature of the request:
In prayer, weoften request something tangible for ourselves or another person. But spiritual evaluation involvesasking the Lord to reveal His thoughts andperspective on our lives (Ps.139:17-18). In other words, we seek to encounter the Father personally rather than to receive a gift from Him.
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The confidence that God will grant therequest:
The Lord desires to reveal our weaknessesso that we will walk more righteously (Job 23:10). Although the Father loves us unconditionally, Hedoesn’t want us to be held captive by bitterness,resentment, sinful habits, or unhealthy ways of relating to others.When you and I ask the Lord tosearch our hearts (Ps.139:23-24), He will begin toshow us the truth about ourselves.
The Requirements
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A willingness to look within ourselves:
Sometimes people take for granted that they know their own hearts. But the truth is we know little about our real motivations.We need the lightof the Holy Spirit to reveal both the good and badaspects of our character.
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Honesty:
First Corinthians 2:10-11 saysthe Spirit of God shows us the truth aboutourselves.The Father has perfect knowledge andunderstanding of our innermost being. So whenHe brings something up, don’t rationalize your sinor make excuses for your behavior.
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Adequate time:
The Lord loves us too much toshow us all our weaknesses and failures at once.
your Spiritual growth
Practical Lessons for Understanding the Word of God
KEY PASSAGES:
Psalm 139:1-4; 17-18; 23-24
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SUPPORTING SCRIPTURE:
Job 23:10 | Psalm 139:19-22 John 15:4-5 | 1 Corinthians 2:10-11 | 1 Peter 2:2 | 2 Peter 3:18
LIFE PRINCIPLES NOTES | LP081228
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