WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT, I HUMBLY, BOLDLY, AND COURAGEOUSLY ASK HIM TO SEARCH ME AND REVEAL TO ME THE TRUE CONDITION OF MY HEART. TO SHOW ME MY ANXIETIES OR FEARS, AND POINT OUT TO ME MY SIN AGAINST GOD AND OTHERS IN MY LIFE. ONLY WITH HIS HELP CAN I KNOW FOR SURE, AND IN ALL TRUTH, THE EXACT NATURE OF MY SIN.

Once I have accepted Jesus as LORD of my life, He gives me the desire to start housecleaning. In Principle 4, the process of becoming more of what He wants me to become begins by taking a fearless personal inventory (because of my newfound belief of His unfailing LOVE to me), which is recognizing where I have fallen short of His standards in my life.

The first thing to do is to agree with God and His identifications of my sins. Next is to identify if these sins are still ongoing and to what extent the damage from these sins has caused in my life and the lives that surround me. One of the most helpful things to do is to write these down so that I begin to become accountable, to God first, others second. As I do this I will be encouraged by His grace, mercy, and faithfulness towards me as I die to myself, pick up my cross daily, and follow after Jesus my LORD. The witness of this growth will prepare me to continue on with Principles 5, 6, and 7.

Psalm 139:23-24—

Who does the Psalmist turn to in order to take an inventory? Who must I turn to then?  Do I think that I can find anything in my inventory that God doesn’t reveal to me? (compare with (cf) Hebrews 4:12-12; Psalm 139:1-4; Ecclesiastes 12:14)

Ephesians 4:17-5:21—

What are the three requirements stated in Verses 4:22-24? Can I do these things? Does God ever ask me to do something I cannot do?  Is Verse 11 of Chapter 5 saying that I should take an inventory?

Galatians 5:13-18—

How am I to know when I’m "indulging in sinful nature" without taking an inventory?  What happens to the "sinful nature" when I "live by the Spirit"?  How do John 16:5-15 (esp. 8-11) and 1 John 3:4-9 relate to living by and in the Spirit? What roles do my conscience and conviction play when doing an inventory?

Mark 7:20-23—

What are the things that make me unclean? Which of these items do I identify with the most? How do I get rid of them? How does Verse 18b relate to my tendency to blame shift?  If I have a change of heart, will sin be eliminated from my life? Why or why not?

1 John 1:8 (Proverbs 20:9)—

Why would I claim to be without sin? Have I ever done this by minimizing, justifying, or rationalizing my sin? Is this the same as saying I have no sin when I do these things?  Is it still possible as a Christian to deceive myself? (cf James 1:22) If so, how do I avoid doing it?

Ezekiel 36:26-27, 31—

Please note the pronouns "I" and "you" in these verses. What does God say He will do? What does He say I’m to do?  If I’m a "new creature in Christ," why does God say I am to remember my evil ways and wicked deeds? (cf James 1:23-24)

2 Corinthians 7:9-10—

What is the difference between "Godly sorrow" and "worldly sorrow"?  Which sorrow should I have? Is it in God’s plan? Has this changed my perspective on suffering? (1 Peter 4:1-2)

Romans 13:11-14—

How can doing this principle help me to wake up from my slumber?  What is it that I’m to "put aside"? What is it that I’m to "put on"?  How will I know that I’m awake and not in slumber? What will be produced in my life? (see James 3:17-18; Galatians 5:22-24; 1 Corinthians 13)

Romans 12:1-3—

Name three ways I can "offer myself as a living sacrifice."  What does the phrase "don’t think of yourself more highly than you ought" mean?  Now that I’ve accepted the LORD, how should I think of myself? What does sober judgment mean? How can this be accomplished?

John 8:34-36—

How did I become a slave to sin? How do I become a slave to sin? How can I be set free?  Are there any areas in my life that I have not yet been set free from? What are some practical steps that I can take to help me in my struggle against these areas?

Romans 6:16—

Could this be considered as a definition of addiction? If so, what are some of the things that I have presented myself to obey?  Does this scripture apply to Christians? Does this scripture apply to me?  Does this scripture prompt me to take an inventory? If so, why?

Romans 8:5-9 (cf Colossians 3:1-2 )—

What is the difference between those who have their "minds set" on the Spirit and those who have their "minds set" on the sinful nature? Have I noticed a change in my thinking pattern?  If the Spirit of God lives in me, why do I still sometimes follow after the sinful nature? Do I have a pattern in regards to these struggles?

2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 (cf 1 Corinthians 15:33 )—

How many sets of opposites does Paul list in these scriptures? What is the point he is making?  Which of these scriptures deal with taking an inventory?

1 John 3:18-24—

How does the Word tell me to love? How do I know if I "belong to the truth"? How do I set my heart at rest or have a clean conscience?  What is the difference between words or tongue and actions and truth?  Why is it important to me that my heart does not condemn me? Has this happened to me before?

Psalm 19:14—

Is it "pleasing in God’s sight" when I ask Him to search me and reveal to me my sin? How do I know?  If I have Jesus in my heart, what should the words of my heart be? Do my words vindicate or convict me?

Copyright © 2004, 2008 Randall Nurmi 
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