Yes, we are supposed to take an honest evaluation of ourselves, but the truth is, we can deceive ourselves into believing we’re on track when we’re not. We can actually convince ourselves we’re totally right, yet completely stuck in thought patterns and behaviors that don’t honor God.

A person may think their own ways are right, but the LORD weighs the heart. —Proverbs 21:2

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? “I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” —Jeremiah 17:9-10

This is just the truth, and why so many struggle to become that transformed image of Christ.

And when I say transformed, I don’t mean in what others see, but what God does…in our minds, in our hearts, and even in those hidden areas of our lives…do we think like Him, speak like Him, love like Him—are we imitators of Christ?

Let’s get honest…we ALL got areas that don’t look or sound anything like our Heavenly Father.

Am I right?

So, rather than convincing ourselves we’re good, let’s go to Him in humility and ask Him what He thinks.

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24 (NIV)

Amen?