Lenten Season Week 6: Introspection: The Start of Inspection by Taji Brown

Introspection: The Start of Inspection by Taji Brown

Founding Scripture: Matthew 7:1-5

If you dissect the word introspection, I strongly believe it means the beginning of inspection. Where better to start examination, than with oneself. Introspection is turning our eyes inward and seeing the true nature of the man. It is doing what Michael Jackson did in 1988, “...starting with the man in the mirror…” Introspection is looking at the role you played in an altercation first before placing any blame. According to Webster’s dictionary, introspection is an examination of one’s own thoughts and feelings. It is a reflection of all things internal.

Unfortunately, we as a people tend to run away from this concept. For us it is much easier to point the finger at our neighbor. We do not like to take responsibility for our own mess and own up to our proclivities. We would much rather find fault in everyone else around us in order to have an excuse for our baggage. However, Matthew 7:1-5 is very clear on God’s expectation when it comes to being introspective over being judgmental.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’, and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First, remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

In the words of Pastor Lula Baker, “I have three containers that I am going to open up and let the aroma fill the room.” You should constantly perform the following steps of introspective acts to avoid being overly critical and judgmental.

1.    Soul Searching: If we were to investigate the prodigal son in Luke 15:17, we would notice that he had an introspective moment. “But when he came to himself…,” was a pivotal moment for his turnaround. When you think about it, something on the inside of him started to speak to everything that was on the outside, and a shift occurred. He began to remember that there was a king inside of him, even while standing directly in filth. By turning his eyes inward, he was able to do something about his situation and walk into his victory. Are you in need of some soul searching so you too can walk in victory?

2.    Self-Examination: “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” (Psalm 139:23) As we know, introspection deals with self-analyzing your thoughts and feelings. You must include God in this through prayer because He is the only One who truly knows our hearts. We must talk to God about those things that weigh on our hearts and minds so we can have the peace of the Lord that goes beyond all understanding. God will show you those things you need to work on and work out. When is the last time you conducted a self-inventory?

3.    Heart-Check: Most of the time we tell on ourselves by the venom that spews out of our mouths towards other individuals. We unconsciously project harsh word vomit onto people, when we have no place to cast the first stone. “But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” (Matthew 15:18) What we fail to realize is that most of the time we are speaking into a mirror. The very things we tend to criticize others for are the very things we need to correct ourselves. What is in your heart?

The bottom line is, stop picking on people. Stop gossiping and talking about them behind their backs. Stop jumping on their failures and criticizing their faults, unless of course, you want the same treatment. Rid yourself of that critical spirit because it has a way of boomeranging. Stop being sin snobs; condemning your brethren for the same idiosyncrasies you show yourself excessive grace for. Learn to show others the same mercy you would like to receive when you fall short of the glory of God. No more pointing the finger, while neglecting all the fingers pointing back towards you. Deal with your own mess so you can then help someone out of theirs. Therefore, focus on you first and refrain from being judgmental, “...Knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.” (1 Peter 5:9)