2Co 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve in his craftiness, your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity and the purity that is toward Christ. [asv]

Ephesians 5:25-29 (nkjv)

25 . . . just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. . . . 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones.

(Note: this analysis has been used for over 40 years in our congregational leadership program. It is not official in any respect, and no doubt is greatly imperfect. It was used to get the members of the class to begin to think about where they stood in their relationship with the Lord, and with brethren. Use it, if desired, in connection with the previous lesson “Acquiring The Mind Of Christ.”)

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 2CO 13:5

1. I believe that one must love God with all his heart, soul, mind and strength.

8. Because of my love for God, and respect for His authority, I gladly obey Him in all things?

10. Because of my love for God I love my brother and sister and express this in some way daily?

1. I believe that a child of God must love his brother and sister in Christ even as he loves himself?

5. I am conscious of the inclination to be partial to my friends, and strive to be impartial in my conduct toward all?

6. I positively try to treat others in all dealings as I myself would like to be treated?

8. I make decisions and conduct myself with my brother's good in mind? (I Cor. 10:23).

9. I gladly sacrifice my own interests in behalf of my brother's spiritual good?

10. I tell (under appropriate circumstances) my brothers and sisters in Christ that I love them?

2. I believe that I am responsible for my own growth, aided and assisted by the elders, and other brothers and sisters in Christ?

5. I am currently involved in a program of self-improvement that will help me to do more good works, and perform better those things that I am now doing?

6. I am concerned for, am praying for, and working for, the spiritual well-being of my family?

7. I realize that before I can be a significant influence for good, I myself must be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might?

8. I am striving to be more cooperative as I work with others in the congregation?

9. I strive to submit myself and obey those who watch for my soul in all good works?

10.I am aware of a personal relationship with Christ, and with the Father, and strive to maintain and improve this relationship each day?

1. I believe that it is a command to "not forsake the assembling of ourselves together?"

2. I believe that (whether it is the main purpose of the assembly or not) I have an obligation to when opportunity arises to "provoke to love and good works" those who attend with me?

4. I realize how important it is that I be a good example of faithful attendance to the weak and immature, as well as to the strong?

7. I have invited someone who would not normally come to our assembly to come with me this week?

8. I am systematically trying to get to know all others who regularly attend our assemblies?

9. I strive to be a positive influence for good and edification of all in every assembly?

10.I understand that the "church" is not the building, but that God’s people assemble for shared worship of the Almighty God, to commemorate the death of our Lord, study the Scriptures and for other worthy reasons? I am able to explain the reasons for the assembly according to the Scriptures to anyone who might ask or need instruction?

1. I feel honored to be asked to serve brethren in matters concerning the Lord's work?

2. I am as conscientious in this work of the Lord as I am in the work that provides me a livelihood?

3. I work just as enthusiastically with others when I am not “in charge” as I expect others to do when I am in charge?

4. If I were given a responsible task to do for the congregation, I would strive to be diligent in accomplishing all that was expected of me?

5. I will appreciate and thank anyone who rebukes me when I have not done my best?

6. I feel the necessity of kindly rebuking a brother (or sister) if I might become aware of their shoddy performance in the Lord's work?

7. I will work just as enthusiastically in those matters that I do not necessarily like to do as I will work in those that I do like?

8. I am willing to use the young and the timid to encourage them in things that they can do, whether they can do the work as well as an older or more talented brother?

9. If the elders felt that I was the logical one to do some important job for the congregation, I would accept this responsibility gladly?

10. I understand that the spiritual well-being of brethren, and the spreading of the kingdom of God, is the real basis for all physical work in the congregation?

1. I believe that every child of God should study to show himself approved of God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling aright the word of God?

5. I am truly interested in building up both numerically and in quality our Bible school?

8. If I felt that the teacher was incorrect in his teachings I would feel a personal responsibility to correct him, remembering always to be kind?

9. If I were to become capable of teaching others I would do so, each time I had opportunity?

10. I will work enthusiastically toward the improvement of our Bible study program?

2. I strive to understand the Lord's will concerning how and when I can help others who have need.

3. I am thankful that I am able to help, and if ever in need would be equally thankful that others are thoughtful of me.

4. I cooperate enthusiastically in good works led by our leaders who are responsible for benevolence.

5. I understand that as I help others I am in effect helping the Lord? (Matthew 25)

7. I understand what James meant when he said, "Faith without works is dead, being alone?"

9. I have confidence in God that if I seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, He will provide for me the necessities of life?

1. I understand that sacrifice is a part of my worship of God, and my giving helps to indicate the strength of my devotion?

2. I purpose in my giving, give as I have purposed, and realize the importance of fulfilling my good intentions?

3. I keep myself informed of where the monies I give to the Lord's work are spent by congregational leaders?

4. I make recommendations to those responsible for planning the programs of work that require funding?

5. I accept the fact that I must feel, in order to enjoy giving, that there is no greater use that my gifts could be put to than that of furthering the cause of the Lord?

7. I feel that the amount of my gift in helping the needy is personal, according to Paul’s instructions in 2Co 9:7, as he purposeth in his heart, . .. not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver?”

10.I am as concerned about my giving to the cause of Christ as I am about paying for services and goods given by my fellow man?

1. I understand that I am to worship the God of Heaven every day, and not just a special day of the week?

2. I understand that when I am present in an assembly of worshippers, my worship is directed to the Almighty God?

3. I understand that when I assembly with brethren and share my worship with theirs, it is something to be offered, and in “spirit and in truth?”

4. I prepare for the assemblies prayer and readiness habits (as opposed to rushing, extraneous matters occupying mind, etc?)

5. I have acquired the ability to concentrate well on the various activities of worshipping, singing, praying, listening to the lesson, etc?

6. I sing with “spirit and understanding,” realizing that I must "teach and admonish" others who might be influenced by me?

7. I commend and encourage those who have the responsibility for leading in the assemblies, and conducting the various items of involvement?

8. I make suggestions for improvement in the assemblies to the one who is responsible? (I avoid critical evaluation to those not responsible?)

9. I maintain reverential respect for all things connected with the assemblies? (This includes dress, conduct, attitude, etc?)

10.I try to bring someone (weak Christian, neighbor, invalid, elderly. etc.) with me when I come to the assemblies?

2. I understand that visiting is for all true saints, not just for special ones?

3. I realize the serious side of visiting; that it is to do what needs to be done concerning spiritual needs as well as social and physical needs?

4. I have acquired the understanding, and perform my visits, from a sense of love for the person rather than as a matter of duty?

5. I have grown in ability and courage concerning the talking to the weak and lost about spiritual matters when I visit?

6. I understand that others need encouraging in fulfilling THEIR obligation to visit and I strive to do this continuously?

7. I would visit the needy whether or not there was a congregational program of visitation in this congregation?

9. 1 understand that I will not always be welcomed, or commended for visiting, and I continue to do this because it is right, and not because of commendation?

10. I am careful to distinguish in my visiting the difference between legitimate interest in another's spiritual well-being and any other human interest, perhaps curiosity?

An article from anonymous source taught such a good lesson about criticizing that I thought I should pass it along. It begins with this poem:

The seed then could be heard saying, "I don't care to be a rose. It has thorns. I have no desire to be a lily. It's too colorless. And I certainly wouldn't want to be a violet. It's too small, and furthermore, it grows too close to the ground."

In Romans 12:3, Paul indicated that we are not to think of ourselves too highly. Rather, we are "to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." And to the Philippian believers he said, "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself" (2:3). When we fail to follow these instructions and begin finding fault with others, we are really passing judgment on ourselves (Matt. 7:1,2) A good cure for a critical spirit is an honest look at ourselves -- not at others.