What is going on in your soul?

Do you ever thank God for His law? The psalmist did: "Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day" (Psalm 119:97).

Just as an EKG (electrocardiogram test) reveals what is going on in your heart, so the law reveals what is going on in your soul. The great purpose of the law is to reveal God's will for our lives and help us understand when we are not living as He intended. This is a wonderful blessing and a sure indication of God's great love for us.

Life Action Ministries created much of the contents for the following self-examination. Based on the Ten Commandments, these questions can help us to better assess our true spiritual health. As you work through these questions, remember: "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul" (Psalm 19:7).

The Ten Commandments

1. You shall have no other gods before me.

Do my checkbook, calendar, and topics of conversation reflect that God is first in my life? Do I have relationships with others that are more important than my relationship with God?

2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image.

Do I seek to make God fit into my expectations, or do I allow Him to fit me into His?

3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Do I allow flippant use of God's name in my presence? Do I worship the Lord without sincerity of heart?

4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. 

Do I refrain from activity on the Lord's Day that does not include rest, worship, or ministry to others?

5. Honor your father and mother. 

Do I show respect to my parents by giving them quality time, focused attention, and regular expressions of my love?

6. You shall not murder. 

Do I display hate through my words or body language towards family members, friends, acquaintances, or even those I may view as enemies?

7. You shall not commit adultery.

Am I defiling my soul by not putting to death the lusts that arise in my heart? Are my thoughts and desires pure?

8. You shall not steal. 

Is there anything that I possess or claim rights to that belongs to others? Do I give my tithes and offerings to the Lord's work?

9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 

Am I allowing others to believe something about me that isn't true? Do I ever lie to protect my reputation?

10. You shall not covet. 

Am I content with what I have? Am I obsessed with acquiring things that are not needed? Do envy and jealousy motivate any of my actions?

“The law tells me how crooked I am.

Grace comes along and straightens me out.”

DWIGHT L. MOODY (1837-1899)

Used with permission from Stan Key, Originally published in the Book,” Face to Face with God, with Others, with Myself”  by Stan Key, Francis Asbury Press, 2019