How To Audit Your Faith
a pattern to using scripture
James is a great book on the practical ways genuine faith shows itself. It will take you 15-20 minutes to read the whole book! In today’s post I’m using scriptures as a guide for us to audit or take inventory of our faith. My hope is that you’ll see a pattern of how we can read & use (all of) scripture to audit our life & our faith:
Read the scripture.
Identify the characteristics of God.
If this is true about God, what does that show me about myself?
Turn it all into a prayer. Act on what you know to be true.
In short, the Bible is about Him. Knowing who He is & what He does helps us see & measure & understand ourselves rightly.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 tells us, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.
As we work our way through, may we consider what needs to be processed with God.
A quick note: The conversation of faith or any command God gives (1) is a call to remember how life was designed to work, & (2) it exposes we are not as far along as we think we are.
The good news is: Christ meets us where we are. He reminds us that as much as He cares about us living out our faith, He cares far more about our relationship with Him. So as we move forward, let’s go to Him. His burden is light. & He is gently & humble in heart.
faith & trials
Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. | James 1:2-4
He is a steadfast God. He is telling us to be steadfast.
Do I understand my faith is tested by the trials I face?
Am I determined to get through by fixing my eyes on Jesus?
Do I measure a trial as being a joyful thing because it means the Lord is faithfully executing the work of growing me in maturity & steadfastness?
Father, when I experience trials, help me to wait things through in an intentional way so I can allow steadfastness have it's full effect in my life.
Today is hard. I want to fix my eyes on you.
2. faith & wisdom
Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God—who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly—and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. | James 1:5-8
God promises to gives us wisdom. He gives it generously. When we ask, He will never refuse the request!
Do I trust God? Or do I trust what I can only see?
In the midst of a challenge, do I ask God for wisdom?
Am I double-minded, wavering between my agenda & God’s agenda?
Prayer: I’m struggling with ____. Will you give me wisdom?
3. faith & temptation
No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. | James 1:13-15
God, himself, tempts no one.
What areas of temptation do I struggle with?
When temptation presents itself, do I resist or linger?
What can I do to be better at running from temptation?
May I not dare to put myself in the way of what will cause me to sin.
4. faith & favoritism
My brothers and sisters, do not show favoritism as you hold on to the faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ. For if someone comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and dressed in fine clothes, and a poor person dressed in filthy clothes also comes in, if you look with favor on the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Sit here in a good place,” and yet you say to the poor person, “Stand over there,” or “Sit here on the floor by my footstool,” haven’t you made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? | James 2:1-4
The way we care for & respect others gives evidence to our understanding of the gospel & what Jesus has done for us.
What motivates me to treat some people better than others?
Who can I extend mercy to & not judgement?
What are ways I can care & respect others, without expecting anything in return?
Lord, give me eyes to see where compassion needs to be given.
5. faith & words
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. | James 1:19-20
Words matter to God. Words should matter to us.
What steps can I take to be a better listener?
What steps can I take to choose my words carefully?
When do I become angry too quickly?
What steps can I take to better control my anger?
God, words have to power to create & destroy. I want mine to bring life & hope & encouragement. Show me what I can do to listen more, use my words carefully, & better control my anger.
6. faith & actions
But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works—this person will be blessed in what he does. | James 5:22-25
God’s word shows us a reflection of ourselves.
This verse always brings me back to a quote from Jen Wilkin. She helped me make sense of this: “As a beauty pageant contestant looks into her physical mirror & does whatever it takes to change her appearance so she more reflects perfection, we also need to look in our spiritual mirror & do whatever it takes to change ourselves so we can be transformed into the perfect image of the One who loves us.”
What might it look like for me to read His Word often?
What if I made the change that was necessary?
Lord, give me ears to hear & hands to act.
7. faith & submission
Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be miserable and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you. | James 4:7-10
God knows our hearts. If we humble ourselves before the Lord (be in complete dependence upon Him), He will exalt us (lift you up).
Why do I value the things of this world more than the things of God?
How have I allowed worldly wisdom to impact my thoughts, words, & actions?
Help me become more of a friend to you than a friend to this world.
8. faith & prayerful patience
Elijah was a human being as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the land. Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the land produced its fruit. | James 5:17-18
God can be trusted. All outcomes are within his control.
Why do you think God values persistent prayer?
What steps can I take to set intentional time aside to pray?
Teach me the value of being steadfast in prayer.
I could easily keep going. But you get the idea, yeah?
Read the scripture. See what attributes of God are shown to you. In light of that truth, what do you learn about yourself? Process those two concepts with God. Pray. & then get to it — these things you have learned & received, practice. (Philippians 4:7)
Our hope in the gospel is that we worship a God who does not change but changes us. As we continue this good work, it won’t look perfect, but we can know that He’s gvien us a Helper in the Spirit. We can trust that He who started this good work will carry it on to completion. (Philippians 1:6)