Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23-24)
What’s something you do every morning before you leave the house? You probably check your appearance in the mirror to make sure that you look appropriate before you go out. If you find a blemish or your hair is messy, you take care of it before you leave. You would not consider leaving without a check in the mirror! How about your soul? Do you stop and check that?
The verses above from the Psalms give us an example of how God wants us to open our hearts to His careful examination. Why should we do that? God gives us many warnings and directions to live a sin-free life that is pleasing to him and a blessing to ourselves and those around us. In the scriptures below list some of the other reasons we need a soul check:
Q. 1 Samuel 16:7
Q. Deuteronomy 4:9
Q. Hebrews 12:15
In the same way that weeds grow up and eventually strangle the good crop that is growing, sin in our hearts will produce a bad crop of things like anger and unforgiveness. A soul check literally goes in and pulls out the weeds on a regular basis, before they can damage the crop. Sin in our hearts not only hurts us but it affects all of our relationships. Looking in a mirror may not be easy because we don’t always like what we see. Using the Bible as a mirror for our soul can be equally hard, but absolutely necessary. Since man looks at the outward appearance and God looks at the heart, it is vital to our spiritual growth that we take care of the inside as much as the outside.
Put a reminder note on your bathroom mirror that says, “Did you check your soul today?” Make a point of sitting down with God every morning before you leave your house. Ask Him to search your heart and show you sin that is hiding even from your awareness. Give him a little time to show you. Ask Him if there is anything you need to get rid of like anger, wrath, or filthy language (Colossians 3:8-9). Then ask Him to clothe you in all the things listed in Colossians 3:12-13 like kindness, humility, and patience. You are not really dressed to go out until you do.