Definition and Context:
Scrutiny, in a biblical context, refers to the careful and thorough examination or investigation of one's actions, thoughts, or beliefs. It involves a deep and discerning look into the moral and spiritual aspects of life, often in light of God's Word. This concept is rooted in the understanding that God is omniscient and that His followers are called to live lives of integrity and holiness.

Biblical References:
The Bible frequently addresses the theme of scrutiny, both divine and human. God's ability to scrutinize the hearts and minds of individuals is a recurring theme. 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 role as the ultimate examiner of human intentions and actions.

In the New Testament, scrutiny is also encouraged among believers. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, Paul exhorts the 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?" Here, self-scrutiny is presented as a necessary practice for maintaining a genuine faith.

Divine Scrutiny:
God's scrutiny is perfect and just. Psalm 139:23-24 expresses a desire for divine examination: "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." This prayer reflects a willingness to submit to God's searching gaze, trusting in His guidance and correction.

The book of Hebrews also speaks to God's penetrating insight: "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12). This passage underscores the power of God's Word to scrutinize and reveal the true nature of our innermost being.

Human Scrutiny:
While divine scrutiny is perfect, human scrutiny is encouraged as a means of spiritual growth and accountability. Believers are called to examine their own lives and the lives of others within the community of faith. In Galatians 6:4, Paul advises, "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else."

The practice of scrutiny is also evident in the early church's approach to leadership and teaching. In Acts 17:11, the Bereans are commended for their diligence: "Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true." This example highlights the importance of scrutinizing teachings against the truth of Scripture.

Moral and Ethical Implications:
Scrutiny, when applied rightly, leads to moral and ethical living. It involves a commitment to truth, honesty, and transparency before God and others. Proverbs 21:2 reminds us, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart." This verse calls believers to recognize the limitations of human judgment and the necessity of divine insight.

Practical Application:
In practical terms, scrutiny involves regular self-examination, prayer, and study of Scripture. It requires humility and a willingness to be corrected and guided by the Holy Spirit. James 1:22-25 encourages believers to be doers of the Word, not merely hearers, implying that scrutiny should lead to action and transformation.

In summary, scrutiny is a vital aspect of the Christian life, fostering spiritual growth and alignment with God's will. Through divine and human examination, believers are equipped to live lives that honor God and reflect His truth.1. (n.) Close examination; minute inspection; critical observation.

2. (n.) An examination of catechumens, in the last week of Lent, who were to receive baptism on Easter Day.

3. (n.) A ticket, or little paper billet, on which a vote is written.

4. (n.) An examination by a committee of the votes given at an election, for the purpose of correcting the poll.

5. (v. t.) To scrutinize.

1384. dokimos -- tested, approved
... 1384 (an adjective, derived from 1209, "to receive, welcome") -- properly, what
passes the necessary test (scrutiny); hence because (validated, verified). ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1384.htm - 7k

God's Scrutiny Longed For
... VOLUME II: PSALMS LI to CXLV GOD'S SCRUTINY LONGED FOR. ... We have to confess our sins
unto the Lord ere this kind of divine scrutiny can be brought to bear. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/gods scrutiny longed for.htm

Self-Scrutiny in God's Presence.
... SERMONS. SELF-SCRUTINY IN GOD'S PRESENCE. ... Let no man, then, fear to invite the
scrutiny of God, in connection with his own scrutiny of himself. ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/self-scrutiny in gods presence.htm

But I have Said that These Men Would have Been Unable to Find ...
... the faith of the church against them, affirming that God is wholly without bodily
form, and therefore also invisible; and then, following out his scrutiny in a ...
/.../17 but i have said.htm

Of Confession and Self-Examination
... should be peaceful and tranquil, and we should depend on God for the discovery and
knowledge of our sins, rather than, on the diligence of our own scrutiny. ...
/.../guyon/a short and easy method of prayer/chapter xv of confession and.htm

Strong and Loving
... One part of that watchfulness consists in exercising a very rigid and a
very constant and comprehensive scrutiny of our motives. ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/strong and loving.htm

On Daniel. vi. On Susannah.
... shall be proved by their thoughts, and shall have to give account to God for all
the sin which they have done, as Solomon says: "And scrutiny shall destroy the ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/on daniel vi on susannah.htm

He Then once More Excellently, Appropriately, and Clearly Examines ...
... And if the obvious passages of the work necessarily demand a somewhat minute scrutiny,
how much more do those passages require it where even immediate ...
/.../gregory/gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/section 2 he then once.htm

God's Exhaustive Knowledge of Man. [*Continued]
... Though most of the sinner's life of alienation from God, and of disobedience, has
been a blind and a reckless agency, unaccompanied with self-scrutiny, and to ...
/.../shedd/sermons to the natural man/gods exhaustive knowledge of man 2.htm

Introduction
... His was the earnest, penetrating scrutiny of a Christian philanthropist, seeking
to know his brother's wants in order that Christian love might supply them. ...
/.../the epistle of paul to the philippians practically explained/introduction.htm

Authenticity and Credibility of the Gospel Narratives.
... It shows us that the Saviour's miracles could endure the severest scrutiny"that
after every means which power and wealth and patronage and official influence ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter iv authenticity and credibility.htm

Scrutiny (3 Occurrences)
... correcting the poll. 5. (vt) To scrutinize. Multi-Version Concordance Scrutiny
(3 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 4:3 I however am very ...
/s/scrutiny.htm - 7k

Scrutinize (3 Occurrences)
... or motives of individuals. 2. (vi) To make scrutiny. Multi-Version Concordance
Scrutinize (3 Occurrences). 1 Corinthians 4:3 I however ...
/s/scrutinize.htm - 7k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... It passed the scrutiny of the church at large and of its authorized teachers, and
was never challenged save by a small group of heretics who disliked it on ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

Birth (357 Occurrences)
... It passed the scrutiny of the church at large and of its authorized teachers, and
was never challenged save by a small group of heretics who disliked it on ...
/b/birth.htm - 71k

Narrowly (2 Occurrences)
... 2. (adv.) Without much extent; contractedly. 3. (adv.) With minute scrutiny;
closely; as, to look or watch narrowly; to search narrowly. ...
/n/narrowly.htm - 7k

Unfaithful (58 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:4 Though I am not conscious of having been in any way unfaithful,
yet I do not for that reason stand acquitted; but He whose scrutiny I must ...
/u/unfaithful.htm - 23k

Undergoing (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:3 I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny,
or that of other men; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself. (WEY). ...
/u/undergoing.htm - 10k

Lies (208 Occurrences)
... Hebrews 4:13 And no created thing is able to escape its scrutiny; but everything
lies bare and completely exposed before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do ...
/l/lies.htm - 35k

Family (438 Occurrences)
... to each other the great charter of monogamy was laid down so clearly that Jesus
was content to quote it, when with His limitless ethical scrutiny He explained ...
/f/family.htm - 87k

Examination (10 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The act of examining, or state of being examined; a careful search,
investigation, or inquiry; scrutiny by study or experiment. ...
/e/examination.htm - 11k

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