The Joint Search (Psa. 139:23-24; 1 Cor. 11:28)

Below is today's communion meditation.
-----

When you hear the phrase “search your heart” in context of Communion, perhaps your mind goes right to Psalm 139:23-24.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;

Try me and know my anxious thoughts;

And see if there be any hurtful way in me . . .”

This is your invitation for the Holy Spirit to search you. This is always a good place to start.

When it comes to searching your heart, the Holy Spirit isn't the only one who should be active. You yourself should be active, as the following verses suggest:

• “But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup.” (1 Cor. 11:28)
• “The heart knows its own bitterness . . .” (Prov. 14:10a)

If you already know something isn't right in your heart, then you don't need to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal that. What you need to do is start right there. Confess – tell God what He already knows is true about you and your involvement with that sin. Then ask forgiveness.  Claim 1 Jn. 1:9 which says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

What you have here is a joint-search – the Holy Spirit and you work together to examine what's in your heart. By 'heart' I mean the innermost part of you where decisions, intentions, thoughts and desires reside.

What, exactly, are you searching for? Bill Smith*, a respected and seasoned Assemblies of God missionary, counsels:

“We must search our hearts and lives ruthlessly for any word or action that undermines authority, assassinates character, betrays confidence, introduces suspicion, or tears down brothers and sisters. We must learn to hate and destroy anything in our hearts that hates and destroys others. . .”

The goal of searching your heart isn't just to identify impurities. Awareness isn't enough. You must view those sins and impurities the way Jesus does. The goal is to get into a right state both with Jesus and with others.

Before I serve Communion, I invite each of you to make an altar – up front or in your seat – where you will take some unhurried time to join the Holy Spirit in searching your heart.  Be quick to deal with whatever is revealed.

*The name was changed to protect his identity and ministry.