"Examine Me, O Lord, And Prove Me; Try My Reins And My Heart"

Psalm 26:2

By E. E. Shelhamer

1. Is there anyone I cannot forgive?
2. It there anyone who would not be pleased to see me? Why?
3. Do I find the advice or command of a senior trying? How do I submit?
4. Is discipline irksome or a delight?
5. Am I ever impatient in the routine of my duties?
6. Am I tolerant of the inaccuracies, etc., of juniors or others, or the slowness of someone in the completion of a piece of work?
7. How do I treat those who are unkind to or unreasonable with me?
8. Am I doing anything I would condemn in others?
9. Do I attempt to solve certain problems by trying to avoid or separate from the people concerned?
10. What am I like at home?
11. Am I regarded by others as being reliable? and responsible?
12. Am I given to fault finding?
13. Am I trustworthy? Never breaking confidence? Can I keep a secret? Is the reputation of another safe in my hands?
14. What am I like at work, in relation to my associates?
15. Am I a peacemaker?
16. If I once give my word, is it my bond?
17. Can I attend to any one subject for any length of time (whether it be prayer or Bible study, or preparation, etc.) or am I frequently restless? Do I concentrate?
18. Do I make the right use of leisure time? Do I work according to a plan or am I haphazard?          
19. Am I afraid of doing more than is necessary – in duties, in service, in love, in going the second mile?
20. Do I object to interruptions or meet them graciously?
21. Do I lack Calvary love and moral strength and courage with which to correct or advise another?
22. Have I been pure?
23. Am I painstaking? and contentious?
24. Do I love to be alone with God?
25. How much time do I spend daily in Bible study? and in prayer?
26. Do I have firm, unwavering convictions?
27. How do I stand unpleasant remarks about myself? Do I welcome them as a means of deeper death to self – to know what others think or do not think of me?
28. How do I react to criticism? Do I try to defend myself, or rather find out why I was the cause of criticism?
29. Have I got a bridled tongue? (Jas. 1:26; 3:2)
30. Am I argumentative?
31. Am I sympathetic?
32. Can I see the other one's point of view and make allowances if he or she be lacking in qualities like courtesy, fairness, considerateness, kindness?
33. Am I appreciative?
34. Am I quick to acknowledge a fault? and to ask forgiveness?
35. Do I tend to remember little grudges against people?
36. Do I waste time? (my own or others'?)
37. Am I quick to welcome new suggestions or corrections?
38. Do I deny myself daily? What do I know of self-discipline?
39. Have I a wandering, undisciplined mind? What am I doing about it?
40. Is my imagination under the control of the Holy Spirit? Am I given to useless day dreaming? or concocting?
41. Am I truthful in spite of temptation to the contrary?
42. Are there any inconsistencies in my life? any points where my life does not support my testimony? Any persons where I am different when behind their backs than with them? Do I have two sets of standards or convictions, adapted to circumstances?
43. Am I a test or trial to people along any line?
44. Am I a slave to routine? Do first things come first?
45. Do I object to my program or plan being upset? Is it on the altar?
46. If I undertake something, am I persevering? Do I see it through to a finish?
47. Do I know of anyone who has a grudge against me? (Matt. 5:23-24.)
48. What kind of a friend am I? What are my friendships like?
49. Is there anything in my life which I would be unwilling to give up?
50. Does my life manifest HIS love – as described in First Corinthians 13:4-8?

A Prayer

    "Who can understand his errors? cleanse Thou me from secret faults. Keep back Thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heard, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer" (Psa. 19:12-14).