Self-Examination
Self-Examination
General Message of the Lecture
The lecture focuses on the importance of self-examination as a fundamental path to true repentance and spiritual growth, especially at the end of the year and the beginning of a new one. It emphasizes that a person should not justify or pamper oneself, but rather judge oneself with love and humility in order to receive God’s mercy and remain steadfast in repentance.
First: The Concept of Self-Examination
Self-examination means that a person stands honestly before oneself, reviewing actions, thoughts, intentions, and feelings, not only regarding committed sins but also virtues that were neglected. It is the beginning of spiritual healing, not its completion.
Second: Self-Examination and Spiritual Growth
A person is called to perfection and continuous growth in spiritual life. Lack of growth is considered a deficiency that requires self-examination, because spiritual life is not merely avoiding sin but constant progress in virtue.
Third: Repentance and Avoiding Self-Justification
The lecture warns against justifying oneself or blaming circumstances or external pressures, because sin essentially arises from inner weakness. True self-examination rejects excuses and seeks correction.
Fourth: Self-Examination and the Fear of God
When a person examines oneself, the fear of God grows, the seriousness of sin is realized, and one walks with caution and humility, seeking forgiveness with awareness and sincerity in prayer.
Fifth: Self-Examination and Humility
Self-examination leads to contrition of heart and true humility, preventing pride and self-praise, and making a person constantly aware of one’s weakness before God.
Sixth: Self-Examination and Mercy Toward Others
One who examines oneself does not judge others, but rather shows compassion toward those who fall and prays for them, remembering one’s own weakness and falls, and thus treating others with love and mercy.
Seventh: Self-Examination and Confession
Before confession to the father of confession, there must first be an inner confession before oneself and before God. Self-examination opens the way to sincere confession and effective repentance.
Eighth: Self-Examination as a Way of Life
Self-examination is not limited to the end of the year, but is a daily practice that includes reviewing time, will, purity, pleasures, and spiritual and intellectual life, with firmness, seriousness, and humility.
محاسبة النفس
Self-Examination
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