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Socrates once said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” Though he wasn’t a Christian, his insight touches on a profound biblical truth: we were not created to drift through life unaware of our thoughts, actions, or spiritual condition. We were made to grow. We were made to become. And growth begins with self-examination.

Scripture calls us to this practice. The Apostle Paul wrote, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5). In other words, stop and take a good look within. Are you living in step with Christ? Are your words and actions rooted in love? Are you growing in grace—or just going through the motions?

Self-examination is not about guilt-tripping ourselves or rehashing past mistakes. It’s about spiritual awareness—pausing long enough to invite God to speak into our lives. It’s about opening our hearts to His transforming grace, trusting that He desires our healing and growth far more than our perfection.

Jesus often turned people’s attention inward. He once asked, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own?” (Matthew 7:3). That wasn’t a harsh rebuke—it was a compassionate invitation. Before we try to fix others, let’s ask God to examine us. Not in fear, but in faith. King David prayed, “Search me, God, and know my heart… See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23–24). That is the heart of spiritual self-examination.

Examining our lives is essential to Christian discipleship. We cannot grow in Christ without pausing to ask: Where am I now? Where is God at work? Where do I need to turn back to Him? These questions are how we stay spiritually awake in a distracted world.

One of the early Church’s greatest teachers, St. Augustine, who once lived far from God, eventually prayed, “Lord, let me know myself, and let me know You.” He understood something deeply true: when we see ourselves honestly, we begin to see God more clearly. That kind of honesty creates space for grace.

Another timeless practice, encouraged by many throughout Christian history, is the daily examen—a simple reflection at the end of the day. You take a few minutes to look back over the day with God. Where did you feel His presence? When were you most loving—or least loving? What are you grateful for? Where do you need His help? This small habit builds spiritual awareness and deepens your walk with Christ, no matter your background or denomination.

You don’t need a theology degree to live an examined life. All you need is humility, time, and trust. Humility to admit you don’t have it all figured out. A few minutes of time each day to reflect. And trust that when you come before God, you’ll meet mercy, not condemnation.

The good news is this: the examined life leads to the abundant life. It’s the path to joy, clarity, and deeper faith. When we ask ourselves honest questions—“Why did I react that way? What’s holding me back? Where is God calling me to grow?”—we start living with intention rather than drifting through our days.

Scripture gives us many guideposts:

• “Search me, God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23–24)

• “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith…” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

• “Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord.” (Lamentations 3:40)

• “I, the LORD, search the heart and examine the mind…” (Jeremiah 17:10)

• “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…” (Galatians 5:22–23)

• “Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you…” (2 Timothy 1:13–2:2)

• “Strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees… so that what is lame may not be dislocated but healed” (Hebrews 12:12–13)

When was the last we examined our life—not to criticize ourselves, but to let God love us into something new? If we feel stuck in our walk with God, we can start here. Look inward. Ask Him to show us what’s really going on. Then be still. He doesn’t speak with shame. He speaks with invitation.

Socrates may have been a philosopher, but his words point us toward a truth found throughout Scripture: the unexamined life drifts. But the examined life? That’s the life that leads to purpose, peace, and a deeper walk with God.

Here are a few questions to prayerfully consider:

• Am I making space in my life to reflect on where I am spiritually, emotionally, and relationally?

• What might God be trying to show me that I’ve been too busy or distracted to notice?

• Who could I talk to or pray with regularly to help me grow in honest self-reflection?

Let’s have the courage to live examined lives—not to earn God’s love, but because we know He already loves us, no matter what our self-examination uncovers.

Heavenly Father, I want to live a life worth living. Probe me, and know my heart Lord. Try me, and know my thoughts. If there is a wicked path in me Lord, help me to change. Lead me always in the footsteps of Your Son. Amen!

AMDG 

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Brian Pusateri

Brian is a Christian author and speaker. Brian, a lifelong Catholic, felt his life was forever changed when God spoke to his heart while attending an eight day silent Christian retreat in November of 2011. Soon after that retreat Brian founded 4th Day Letters and Broken Door Ministries. With the God inspired message of mercy and unconditional love that was placed on his heart during that retreat, Brian has been impacting others all over the country and around the world with his weekly letters, his talks, and his all day Christian retreats. In June of 2014, Brian’s life was again impacted in a very dramatic way when his eyesight suddenly became permanently impaired. The initial diagnosis was Multiple Scleroses (MS) but in December of 2019 the diagnosis was corrected to MOG antibody disease, a rare neurological disease. This health challenge has only served to draw Brian closer to God and bolster the importance of this timely yet ageless message.

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