The concept of examination in the Bible often refers to the process of testing, scrutinizing, or evaluating one's heart, actions, or faith. This theme is prevalent throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of self-reflection and divine scrutiny.

Divine Examination

God's ability to examine the hearts and minds of individuals is a recurring theme in the Bible. In Jeremiah 17:10, the Lord declares, "I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve." This verse highlights God's omniscience and His role as the ultimate judge who discerns the true intentions and motivations of individuals.

Similarly, in Psalm 139:23-24, David invites God's examination, saying, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting." Here, the psalmist acknowledges the necessity of divine examination for spiritual growth and alignment with God's will.

Self-Examination

The Bible also encourages believers to engage in self-examination. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul exhorts the Corinthian church, "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" This call to self-examination serves as a reminder for Christians to assess their faith and ensure their lives reflect their commitment to Christ.

In Lamentations 3:40, the prophet Jeremiah urges, "Let us examine and test our ways, and turn back to the LORD." This verse underscores the importance of introspection and repentance, encouraging believers to evaluate their actions and return to a righteous path.

Examination of Actions and Teachings

The Bible also speaks to the examination of actions and teachings within the community of believers. In 1 Thessalonians 5:21, Paul advises, "but test all things. Hold fast to what is good." This instruction emphasizes the need for discernment in evaluating teachings and practices, ensuring they align with biblical truth.

In Acts 17:11, the Bereans are commended for their diligence in examining the Scriptures: "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." Their example serves as a model for believers to verify teachings against the Word of God.

Conclusion

The theme of examination in the Bible serves as a vital component of spiritual life, calling for both divine and self-scrutiny. It encourages believers to seek God's guidance in revealing the true state of their hearts, to engage in regular self-assessment, and to ensure that teachings and actions align with biblical truth. Through examination, believers are led to greater spiritual maturity and alignment with God's will.1381a. dokimazo -- to test, by impl. to approve
... to approve NASB Word Usage analyze (2), approve (3), approved (1), approves (1),
examine (4), examines (1), prove (1), proving (1), see fit (1), test (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1381a.htm - 5k

350. anakrino -- to examine, investigate
... investigate NASB Word Usage appraised (2), appraises (1), asking questions (2),
called to account (1), examine (2), examined (4), examines (1), examining (2 ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/350.htm - 8k

2713. chaqar -- to search
... root Definition to search NASB Word Usage ascertained (1), examines (2), find (1),
found (2), investigated (2), make a search (1), pondered (1), probe (1 ...
/hebrew/2713.htm - 6k

St. Ambrose Examines and Refutes the Heretical Argument that ...
... Book II. Chapter VIII. St. Ambrose examines and refutes the heretical argument
that because God is said to be? St. Ambrose examines ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter viii st ambrose examines.htm

He Examines the Last Part of the Epistle of Cyprian to Jubaianus.. ...
... Book V. He examines the last part of the epistle of Cyprian to Jubaianus?
He examines the last part of the epistle of Cyprian ...
/.../he examines the last part.htm

Any one who Examines the Subject Will See that Jesus Attempted and ...
... Chapter XXVII. Any one who examines the subject will see that Jesus attempted
and successfully accomplished works? Any one who ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xxvii any one who.htm

He Then once More Excellently, Appropriately, and Clearly Examines ...
... Book III. Section 2. He then once more excellently, appropriately, and clearly
examines and expounds the passage, "The Lord Created Me.". ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then once.htm

On the Manner of Making a Good Confession
... He examines the sins you have committed, discovers their causes, and then
prescribes the remedies to be used in overcoming them. ...
/.../kinkead/baltimore catechism no 4/lesson 20 on the manner.htm

The Apocalypse of John.
... 6. After this he examines the entire Book of Revelation, and having proved that
it is impossible to understand it according to the literal sense, proceeds as ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xxv the apocalypse of john.htm

Self-Examination
... A man is about to buy a horse; he examines it; he looks at it; he thinks that possibly
he may find out some flaw, and therefore he carefully examines it; but ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/self-examination.htm

Origen Against Celsus
... Chapter XXVII. Any one who examines the subject will see that Jesus attempted
and successfully accomplished works? Chapter XXVIII. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/

The Revelation of Peter. Introduction.
... before God at the day of judgment, being itself also to be judged along with the
heaven also which encompasses it.'" And at iv., 16, he examines this passage ...
/.../unknown/the apocalypse of peter/the revelation of peter introduction.htm

Books and Reading.
... the air, defies the cold of the north, the heat of the south; it stands upon the
brink of the spitting volcano, circumnavigates the globe, examines the heavens ...
/.../judy/questionable amusements and worthy substitutes/vi books and reading.htm

Examines (12 Occurrences)
...Examines (12 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 4:4 For I am conscious of nothing in myself;
but I am not justified by this: but he that examines me is the Lord. ...
/e/examines.htm - 9k

Isolate (9 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs
in it, and it isn't deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall ...
/i/isolate.htm - 9k

Isolation (7 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs
in it, and it isn't deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall ...
/i/isolation.htm - 8k

Faded (12 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs
in it, and it isn't deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall ...
/f/faded.htm - 10k

Deeper (18 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs
in it, and it isn't deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall ...
/d/deeper.htm - 12k

Isn't (154 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs
in it, and it isn't deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall ...
/i/isn't.htm - 36k

Skin (115 Occurrences)
... Leviticus 13:21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs
in it, and it isn't deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall ...
/s/skin.htm - 44k

Examined (16 Occurrences)

/e/examined.htm - 11k

Examining (7 Occurrences)

/e/examining.htm - 8k

Disease (213 Occurrences)
... When one examines the conditions of life in towns and villages all over the country,
the evidences of the ravages of these fevers and their sequelae appear on ...
/d/disease.htm - 39k

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