It’s time to check your spirit. I.e., your spiritual condition. It’s helpful to check the sincerity of your beliefs by seeing how you live. This 7-minute Bible snack can help, so check it out!

Updated: Tuesday, December 12, 2023

Check Your Spirit; Now Is the Time, Not Later

"Examine yourselves! See if you are genuine Christians"

STM Bible Snack

2 Corinthians 13:5 [read 2 Corinthians 13:1-6 (5)]: Put yourselves to a test; see if you are [really] in the faith [i.e., see if you are genuine Christians]; examine yourselves! Or, do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in your hearts, unless [of course] you fail the test [i.e., unless you are counterfeit Christians]. (AUV); KJV: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Let’s see if you are genuine Christians

1. To determine whether you have been reborn and truly trust God, look within and check your heart’s desires.

2. See if you truly love others more than yourself.

3. Are you content with what you have? Read Philippians 4:11-13, 1 Timothy 6:8-10, and Hebrews 13:5.

Use this to check your spirit

The Christians in Ephesus had lifestyle issues. This was the advice given to them.

1. Stop lying

The new life in Christ; the old you is dead.
Ephesians 4:25 [read Ephesians 4:17-32 (25)]: So you must stop telling lies. Tell each other the truth, because we all belong to each other in the same body. (NCV); KJV: Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

2. Do not sin especially when angry

Ephesians 4:26 [read Ephesians 4:17-32 (26)]: “When you are angry, don’t let that anger make you sin,” and don’t stay angry all day. (ERV); KJV: Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

3. Stop stealing and help the needy

Ephesians 4:28 [read Ephesians 4:17-32 (28)]: If you used to be a thief you must not only give up stealing, but you must learn to make an honest living, so that you may be able to give to those in need. (PHILLIPS); KJV: Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

4. Do not make the Holy Spirit sad

Ephesians 4:30 [read Ephesians 4:17-32 (30)]: Do not do anything that will make God’s Holy Spirit sad. God gave his Holy Spirit to you to show that you belong to him. As a result you know that God will make you completely free one day. (EASY); KJV: And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Spiritual check-up

That was just a sample of some of the things we should consider when we have our spiritual (used in the same manner as ‘get a physical’), that is a spiritual check-up.

Their—the church at Ephesus—spiritual physician, Paul, gave guidance comparing their activities to those of the unchurched or non-believer. We all have to check our lives; I call it a ‘Spiritual check-up’ (Galatians 6:4). People that want to live healthy lives have regular ‘physical checkups’. If we do not correct our ways; we will eventually grieve (sadden or upset) the Holy Spirit. Do you check your spirit often?

Now is the time, not later

Jesus came to help the spiritually sick and make them well (holy). Allow the word to change your life and give you good spiritual health.

Will you enjoy God’s kingdom? Read 1 Corinthians 6:1-11 (9-11) and Galatians 5:16-26 (19-21).

Are you living your life in a way that pleases God? Read Ephesians 5:1-21 (3-8), Colossians 3:1-17 (5-8), and 1 Peter 4:1-11 (3-4).

Maintain Good Spiritual Health

Ephesians 4:31-32 [read Ephesians 4:31-32 (31-32)]: Do not be bitter or angry or mad. Never shout angrily or say things to hurt others. Never do anything evil. 32 Be kind and loving to each other. Forgive each other just as God forgave you in Christ. (ICB); KJV: Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

Your spiritual examination

Galatians 6:4-5 [read Galatians 6:1-5 (4-5)]: Each of you must examine your own actions. Then you can be proud of your own accomplishments without comparing yourself to others. 5 Assume your own responsibility. (GW); KJV: But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.

So I end this with words from 3 John to Gaius ‘Dear friend, I pray that all may be well with you and that you may have good health. I know that all is well with your soul.’ Maintain a healthy physical and spiritual condition, and make sure you check your spirit often! Thank you for taking the time to read this Bible snack. I urge you to make full use of it. Blessings to you and your loved ones—♥ Tim. ☺