Time For a Self-Examination

We have heard a lot about performing self-examinations of one medical sort or another, and many people have found early stages of cancerous growths and as a result their lives were spared a lot of miserable treatments and multiple surgeries, just to survive. I would like to say that spiritually, We in the Christian community, must also perform a self-examination spiritually upon ourselves. One thing that is most effective about self-exams is that the person becomes familiar with his/her own body and therefore, will be able to recognize something that is unusual or doesn't "feel right". Spiritually, we should know our own tendencies and be able to recognize the attitude or thought-process that leads us into a spiritual spiral outward and away from our Lord. Being drawn away and enticed by sinful lusts many times begins with a thought that is allowed to germinate into outward action.
From the heart and mind to outward action, that is the process we follow for good or evil. Our eyes are the window to our soul, and either light or darkness will enter therein. I have former blogs discussing light and darkness in the life of a Christian, but I'll say here, light dictates to darkness, not the other way around. In other words, if there is Godly light in the Christian's life, then darkness cannot stay there. Don't you know if there is darkness entertained, it will multiply other darkness. I've never seen a Christian struggling with a sin problem that is fellowshipping( hanging out) with other believers and staying in the word of God, along with prayer and occasional fasting( as you have need).
In saying all this, I want you to know that we are struggling not only with our own flesh, but with spiritual forces greater than our natural man can handle, but with the power of the Holy Spirit in the committed Christian life, all things can be overcome. Don't see your neighbor as the enemy, understand that the enemy is the collective force of fallen angels that set and bait the traps for us to follow or fall into(spiritually speaking) in our heart and mind and then our heart. If we fall, turn around from the evil way and repent. If we stand, humbly praise and thank the Lord and don't think of yourself in a boastful manner, but walk out your salvation in a careful, watchful manner. We have great power from God to use, but it must be used with humility and cannot be used in pride, or you will fall( that's a promise). Keep your mind on Christ and you will have perfect peace.
   Proverbs 4:

²³ Keep your heart with all diligence,
      For out of it spring the issues of life. 

¹⁸ But the path of the just is like the shining sun,
      That shines ever brighter unto the perfect day.
¹⁹ The way of the wicked is like darkness;
      They do not know what makes them stumble. 

2 Corinthians 13:

⁵ Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified. ⁶ But I trust that you will know that we are not disqualified.

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.