Micheal

One of the hardest things to do, especially in a leadership role, is to examine yourself. To honestly look at your life, your motives, and your sinful nature hurts.

This year, I am reading daily excerpts from Victorious Living by E. Stanley Jones. Yesterday’s reading hit me pretty hard as Jones suggests 5 questions that we should ask ourselves. Here it is:

“FIVE PIERCING QUESTIONS

1.) Am I truthful?

Are there any conditions under which I will or do tell a lie? Can I be depended on to tell the truth, no matter what the cost?

2.) Am I honest?

Can I be absolutely trusted in money matters? In my work? With other people’s reputations?

3.) Am I pure?

In my relationships with those of the opposite gender? In my habits? in my thought life?

4. Am I loving, or am I easily offended?

Do I lose my temper? Am I quick to notice slights? Or am I taking the attitude of love, which refuses to be offended?

5. Am I consecrated to a higher purpose, or am I selfish?

What am I living for– myself, my own position, money, place, power? Or are my powers at the disposal of human need? At the disposal of the kingdom of God? Where is my focus? Myself or others?”

Well, those questions made me step back analyze my answers to those questions in my leadership, my interactions with others, and my spiritual life. It hurts, but if we all want to grow and live our lives in the way that gives God glory, we’ve gotta get over our pride and start with the major problem holding us back: ourselves.

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test? And I trust that you will discover that we have not failed the test.” (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)

Micheal