EVALUATING OUR WALK WITH GOD REGULARLY

One of the most important processes for growing a business and maintaining its competitive edge is constant evaluation. Evaluation allows the company to assess its current situation. To show why evaluation is important, a good captain checks out his ship before heading off on a long trip. He makes sure everything is in good shape so the ship won't run into problems and can get to where it needs to be. Whenever the captain sees a problem, he quickly steps in to fix it. In addition to evaluating the condition of the ship, the captain also evaluates the weather before they depart for their destination. As much as possible, he wants to avoid the storms in the open seas. Many ships have been shipwrecked in the open seas because of a lack of evaluation. The captain ignores the evaluation processes, and he finds out that they have a huge problem with their engine when they are already in the middle of the ocean. By then, it is too late for them to turn back to fix their problems. In regard to our faith, we also need to evaluate our spiritual walk constantly. We need to take time to assess where our walk with God is. Is our heart near or far away from God? Are we living in sin? If we sense that we are straying away from God, are we willing to turn back to God?

Too often, when we become too busy in life, we do not realize that we are neglecting God. As a result, as the days go by, our hearts become farther away from God, and when temptation hits, our faith in God is so weak that we immediately give in to temptation, worst-case scenario, we shipwreck our faith. 1 Timothy 1:19-20 gives us an example of two people who had shipwrecked their faith: "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples. I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not to blaspheme God." Every day, we need to get into a habit of evaluating our conscience before God so that we don't shipwreck our faith. Our walk with God needs constant evaluation because we are constantly bombarded with the things of this world that affect our hearts and minds. When we do not have a clear conscience before God, we must turn to God immediately and do what is right before God. If not, our sin will lead us to shipwreck our faith. 

Taking the time to evaluate our walk with God regularly helps us maintain our relationship with God and protects us from shipwrecking our faith. Two good questions to ask ourselves are, "Do I have a clear conscience before God?" and "Am I trusting God in my current situation?" 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Do I have a clear conscience before God today? Am I trusting God in my current situation? What must I do when I do not have a clear conscience before God?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, as I humbly come before you this morning, please search my heart and remove any hindrances that stop me from walking with you with a clear conscience. Please help me evaluate my heart regularly and be willing to let go of any disobedience so that I may not shipwreck my faith. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.