“An unexamined life is an unintentional life.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – September 25, 2025
Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. 2 Corinthians 13:5, RSV
There are things in life that are unknowable and things that can be known. I will never know the deepest parts of another person’s soul, not even that of my wife or children. On the other hand, with a fair degree of certainty, I can discern the limits of my physical abilities, for example, whether or not I am capable in this present moment to run a marathon, or, whether or not I could pass high school calculus. Put me on a track or place a test in front of me and the outcome can be clearly observed and evaluated.
I remember a professor in seminary once told a room of would-be pastors, “If you are the type of person who loves to measure things, you will struggle in ministry, because it is profoundly difficult to quantify one’s life with God.” Of course this is a wise and true insight. Just like I cannot know the uttermost depths of someone else’s soul, I can never truly know how they relate to God and whether or not they are growing in their life of faith. In truth, it is profoundly difficult to know my own soul and my own life with God, not to mention anyone else!
And yet, there are indicators given to us that can point us in the right direction, giving us a window of insight into the state of our souls and the way of life we are living. As St. Paul says today, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith.” This is infinitely practical advice that each of us should keep at hand. An unexamined life is an unintentional life, and intentionality is necessary if we are to grow in wisdom.
When I feel far from God or that my life of faith has grown cold, rather than questioning God’s love for me or his nearness, I have begun to ask myself intentional questions of self-examination. “Am I consistent in my morning and evening rhythm of prayer?” “Am I overly concerned with my own comfort, image, or reputation?” “Am I actively serving my family and community through sacrificial acts of love and generosity?” This is how I examine myself, and most of the time when my heart has grown cold, it is because I have failed to keep the faith in these areas or others like them.
Self-examination isn’t always comfortable or pleasant, but it is vital to ensure that our hearts and souls are healthy and free of spiritual diseases and sickness.
Prayer
Father, give us eyes to see ourselves as we truly are, not simply as we wish we were, so that we can then take steps of faithfulness, keeping the faith until the very end, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Consider two or three questions of self-examination that you can hold close to your heart and ask yourself on a regular basis.
Related Reading
Psalm 139:23–24; Galatians 6:4; James 1:22-24
Worship Resource
Matt Maher: Lord, I Need You (Live)
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