“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you? Unless indeed you are disqualified.” 2 Corinthians 13:5

System Analysis

I am not a computer whiz, but I have a certain intuitive sense about how to get around in techno land and accomplish what I need to get done. It’s the same as saying that I’m not a car mechanic, but I can drive.

So the other day I was experiencing some minor glitches with my computer and set out to run some scans and analysis programs that would help me identify the problems I was encountering. As the program was scanning the files, I noticed the things it was doing.  The finished report had headings like detecting operating system information, hard disk configuration, file fragments, processes analyzed and memory devices detected.

What if I applied this kind of review and analysis to my own heart? What kind of information am I operating with? Ideally, the Word of God is the truth I operate from. How has that affected how I am configured? Do I not only read the Scripture, but apply it? Do I have old file fragments floating around in my thinking? Are those things that are leftovers from my past—and now useless to me—clogging my perspective? Are my thought processes functioning in a spiritually healthy and fruitful way? Oh, and the memory devices! They could definitely use some maintenance and repair!

It was a silly thought that made me laugh, but it also gave me pause. “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28).

The good news is that I solved my computer difficulties by examining these few basic items. The report told me my system was running without frequent crashes. Indeed, Jesus has kept me running and avoiding frequent crashes with the world, the flesh, and the devil. My computer hardware was adequate for running my operating system. I was laughing now. Jesus is more than sufficient for running my operating system. And finally, no infections were identified. His blood has cleansed me. The infection of sin is washed away.

This may be a trivial parable, but there is a core of truth in the midst of the silliness. Let us examine ourselves and keep ourselves in the love of God. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8).

“Father, Keeper of my heart, continue to tune me and ever maintain my cause. I am dependent on Your grace. Amen.”