| Are we guilty?
Now let us take our sins one by one and deal with each transgression separately.
And let us ask ourselves the following questions. It may be we are guilty
and God will speak to us.
(1) Have we forgiven everyone? Is there any malice, spite, hatred or enmity
in our hearts? Do we cherish grudges; and have we refused to be reconciled?
(2) Do we get angry? Are there any uprisings within? Is it true that we
still lose our tempers? Does wrath hold us at times in its grip?
(3) Is there any feeling of jealousy? When another is preferred before
us does it make us envious and uncomfortable? Do we get jealous of those
who can pray, speak and do things better than we can?
(4) Do we get impatient and irritated? Do little things vex and annoy,
or, are we sweet, calm and unruffled under all circumstances?
(5) Are we offended easily? When people fail to notice us and pass by
without speaking does it hurt? If others are made much of and we are neglected
how do we feel about it?
(6) Is there any pride in our hearts? Are we puffed up, do we think a
great deal of our own position and attainments?
(7) Have we been dishonest? Is our business open and above reproach? Do
we give a yard for a yard and a pound for a pound? Are we honest in our
statements. or do we exaggerate and thus convey false impressions?
(8) Have we been gossiping about people? Do we slander the character of
others? Are we talebearers and busybodies?
(9) Do we criticize unlovingly, harshly, severely? Are we always finding
fault and looking for the flaws in others?
(10) Do we rob God? Have we stolen time that belongs to Him? Has our money
been withheld?
(11) Are we guilty of the sin of unbelief? In spite of all He has done
for us do we still refuse to believe the promises of His Word?
(12) Have we committed the sin of prayerlessness? Are we intercessors?
Do we pray? How much time are we spending on our knees? Have we crowded
prayer out of our lives?
(13) Are we neglecting God's Word? How many chapters do we read each day?
Are we Bible students? Do we draw our source of supply from the Scriptures?
(14) Are we burdened for the salvation of souls ? Have we a love for the
lost ? Is there any compassion in our hearts for those who are perishing
?
(15) Have we failed to confess Christ openly? Are we ashamed of Jesus?
Do we keep our mouths closed when we are surrounded by worldly people?
Are we witnessing daily?
(16) Are our lives filled with lightness and frivolity? Is our conduct
unseemly? Would the world by our actions consider us on its side?
(17) Have we wronged any one and failed to make restitution? Or, has the
spirit of Zacchaeus possessed us? Have we restored the many little things
that God has shown us?
(18) Are we worried or anxious? Do we fail to trust God for our temporal
and spiritual needs? Are we continually crossing bridges before we come
to them?
(19) Are we guilty of lustful thoughts? Do we allow our minds to harbor
impure and unholy imaginations?
Oswald J. Smith, The Revival We Need, pp. 63-65
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