Self-awareness: Recognising Who We Really Are

An honest look in the mirror of God's Word — seeing ourselves as we truly are, and as Christ sees us.

An Honest Self-Assessment

Through self-examination and reflection, people can gain an honest, accurate self-assessment of their personality by considering strengths, weaknesses, thoughts, beliefs, motivation and emotions (Gal 6:4). This, in turn, allows them to understand how they are perceived by others, together with their own attitudes and responses towards them.

From Self-Discovery to Godly Character

From such self-discovery we can act intentionally to make changes in our behaviour and beliefs in order to develop godly character rather than reacting passively or from habit.

Will I address the unacceptable areas in my life I have identified?

The intent is not to judge and condemn ourselves when we make mistakes or allow past patterns to limit our potential; rather it is to use these times as opportunities to learn from and to correct our faults, leading to a healthy self-acceptance and growth in righteousness.

Christ at the Centre, Not Self

A realistic assessment involves recognising that we are sinners in need of salvation, and if we weren't believers we would be headed to a Christ-less eternity. When saved, our life is “hidden with Christ in God” and as we fix our eyes on Christ we will increasingly discover who He is, and be enabled to live our lives as an expression of Him (Gal 5:22-23; Heb 12:1-2; 1 Jn 3:1-2). Sinful activity results from reversion to our past humanistic lifestyle but the Holy Spirit imparts a new life and nature in order to live righteously (Rom 6:4,12,17-18, 7:20). Trying to live without vital connection with and obedience to the Lord is setting ourselves up for defeat as Satan is always watching to gain an easy advantage. Our security is only in relationship to our Saviour. The Bible's message is “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Cor 13:5).

Our ongoing focus should not be self-centred introspection but Christ, who lives within, the victory we have in Him, and the creative possibilities of His life flowing through us to minister to others (Rom 12:3; 1 Cor 6:19). Are we taking active steps to grow closer to God with a conscious discernment of His presence and power in our lives? David looked within himself and identified issues that were not beneficial, then took appropriate action (Ps 42:5,11, 43:5). We should examine ourselves, especially before taking communion, so we do this without known, unconfessed sin in our lives (1 Cor 11:28).

Beyond Failings: What the Lord Is Making of You

Self-examination should never become a habit of brooding over our failings. When the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, the right response is prompt and decisive: repent, receive God's forgiveness, and deal with the issue thoroughly so that Satan is left with no foothold and no ground to accuse or condemn (Eph 4:27; 1 Jn 1:9). Unconfessed sin hands the accuser material to work with (Rev 12:10), but once an issue has been dealt with at the cross, guilt has no rightful place in the believer's life — “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:1). Dwelling on settled sin does not honour God; it re-opens a door He has already closed.

So rather than circling our shortcomings, we practise humble acknowledgement — honestly recognising our dependence on the Lord — and then turn our reflection towards what He is making of us. He who began a good work in us is faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6); we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works He prepared in advance (Eph 2:10). Like Paul, we deliberately forget what lies behind and press on towards what lies ahead (Phil 3:13-14). The question shaping our self-reflection becomes not “What is wrong with me?” but “What is my God building in me and through me?” — a perspective that produces hope, gratitude and forward momentum instead of guilt and stagnation.

Reflection and Application:

Regularly examine yourself in the light of God's Word, not by human comparison (Gal 6:4).
Act on what God shows you — correct faults rather than excusing or dwelling on them.
Keep your focus on Christ and His victory within you, not on self-centred introspection.
Examine yourself before communion, dealing with any unconfessed sin.