“Examine me, O LORD, and try me; test my mind and my heart” (Psalm 26:2).
To stay healthy we need to visit a physician on a regular basis to have our bodies examined. The doctor tells us how healthy we are and also what changes we need to make to stay healthy. If we are smart we will follow his instructions because we know that the doctor has our best interests in mind and his advice will prolong our life.
But the physical body is not the only body that needs examining. Our spiritual body, being the most important, also needs examining to remain healthy. It is the most important because it is the body that we will bring into heaven with us (1 Corinthians 15:50). But how serious are we when it comes to spiritual health? Do we keep our spiritual body in top shape to receive the reward of the “crown of life” (Revelation 2:10)? Remember, only the healthy receive the reward that God gives in eternity.
To remain healthy we must allow God to examine us. He is the ultimate Physician and He came to earth to make the sick well (Mark 2:17). Like our physical doctors, the Lord examines different parts of the body to make a proper diagnosis. When you go to the physical doctor he examines you by asking you to open your mouth. He can tell a lot about your health by examining your tongue. God can also make diagnosis from our open mouth: “If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless” (James 1:26). God knows our hearts by the way we use our tongue. If our words are used in a derogatory manner then God sees our soul as sick and dying (Matthew 15:11). Are you concerned with your mouth? God is.
Sin destroys the heart of the soul and the heart is the main point of concern when it comes to God’s examination. His plan is to examine the hearts of people and provide the cure that will bring them into a covenant relationship with Him through His Son. Jesus is at the right hand of His Father (Rom 8:34) and His word is the tool He uses to examine us (John 12:48). His gospel is the “power of God” to cure the diseased heart (Romans 1:16). Knowing we are spiritually sick, we must desire healing. The only cure for spiritual ailment is the blood of Jesus, who gave His life that we may be healed (Isaiah 53:5).
We must remember that physical health is not all we should be concerned with. Our spiritual health is more valuable. Our response to the Physician’s remedy determines what state of health our spirit will remain in. We must be willing to follow the Physician’s method of cure to remain healthy. He is not only our Physician, He is our Father who loves and cares for us.
