
My car was running smoothly, wasn’t emitting any visible exhaust, but a check of the systems and diagnostics could possibly reveal something that was not visible to the naked eye.
Some states can require smog checks yearly (and some even twice a year) while others (like California) require it every other year. The purpose? Obviously, to keep harmful emissions from entering the atmosphere thereby causing air quality problems and, by extension, life problems for us.
As Christians, I think we need to subject ourselves to a spiritual smog test.
Some of our words and actions are obviously contrary to God’s teaching. Those are the ones we and others see, and, hopefully, we or others address it.
However, sometimes our actions and words may appear healthy and righteous on the outside, but underneath them, trouble is brewing.
The Bible addresses this problem by providing this solution.
Matthew 6:1 begins by saying, “Examine your motives . . .”
Why we are doing something weighs is more important than the visible good works. The Pharisees were called on the carpet for this duplicity.
“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness.” Matthew 23:27-28
But most of us either aren’t willing to fess up or we just don’t realize our internal spiritual “system” is off. Which is why, if we truly do want to be whole, we have to allow God to bring it to light, for only God is able to cut through the deception of our heart and bring to light the truth.
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)
“I, the Lord, search the heart,
I test the mind, . . . (Jeremiah 17:10)
As we rumble through life believing that our spiritual life is in perfect order, let’s not forget to stop, step back, and do a self-check of our motives and then allow God to do a thorough scan. It all makes for a smoother ride.