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Bible Study Search Our Heart (part 2) How, What, When and Where.

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Hermit

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Search Our Heart
Part Two: How, What, When and Where
Continuing:
I started regular soul searching about thirty years ago. In my first thorough effort I was 34 y.o. I spent a day for every year of my life to look for my sins. Naturally the first few days (years) was nothing much to find. As each day progressed my sins were becoming more obvious. I soon discovered that my fears, and how I reacted to them, pointed to my sins. Fear was the key emotion to identify. From fear comes anger, deceptions, jealousy, envy, anxiety, procrastination, cowardice, revenge, lies, greed, theft, etc.

Each sin, or episode was jolted down in a few words. No need to write a book. Just a reminder of what it was about. With my list I went and saw my spiritual mentor and confessed my sins to him and God at the same time. No more secrets! What a relief!

Later, for a few years, I would do yearly soul searching. Afterwards I would spent one day per month looking for my sins. After a few of these, my fear of having to do them subsided once I started doing them on a daily basis. At the end of the day I did not have the search far or long, for the day was fresh in my mind and heart. I find it best to promptly admit my errors and faults. If I miss the opportunity to do so face to face, then I either phone them, or wait till I see them again, whichever is most convenient for them.

Every time I go to sleep, I pray and ask God for forgiveness for each of my transgressions. I don't lump sum them. In each one I also mention how I could have done better. This recognition greatly reduces repeated denials.

Daily soul searching becomes a good habit. Have been doing it for at least twenty years now. Cannot imagine life without doing so.

NOTES:

Where have I acted out of fear?
such as Galatians 5:20 ... hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ...

Scrutinize my true motives by looking back as to where am I coming from as opposed to where "I" want to go. Has my pride been hurt? Am I over-rationalizing, critical, argumentative, revengeful, punishing instead of teaching. Most of these are bad motives hidden underneath a good one (deceptions).
2 Timothy 2:23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.
2 Corinthians 8:21 For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of man.

Spot-checks when I feel fear, tension, doubt, or going off the track/way in truthful living.
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3. because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Where did I practice faith without actions?
2 Corinthians 13:5 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?
1 John 3:18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

Willingness to admit when the fault is mine.
Proverbs 28:13 Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Willingness to forgive when the fault is elsewhere.
2 Timothy 2:24 And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Colossians 3:13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Look for progress rather than perfection.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
1 John 3:3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Self-restraint decreases the likeliness of error or sin.
Psalm 139:4 Before a word is on my tongue you, LORD, know it completely.
James 1:19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
James 1:26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.

If in doubt, I often say "Let go, let God". Another one, which I need to practice using more often is "Am I doing to others as I would have them done to me – today?"
Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices
Luke 6:31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.


Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
 
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What a wonderful thread my friend. I can see that "humility" is a product of your "check list". I especially need to follow your teaching here. Especially this one....

Look for progress rather than perfection.
2 Corinthians 3:18 And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
1 John 3:3 All who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

Thank you Hermit. :hug
 
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