The following quotations are from: Lawson, Steven J.. The Unwavering Resolve of Jonathan Edwards (A Long Line of Godly Men Series Book 2) (p. 139). Ligonier Ministries. Kindle Edition.
I did three posts on Lawson’s book (which was about Edwards 70 personal spiritual resolutions) last August, but in reading them over today, for my own aid, I thought I might repost part of the third of that series to help any who wanted a few suggestions for daily self-examination via journaling.
I highly recommend Lawson’s book to any Christian who wants to learn about Jonathan Edwards personal spirituality (to aid his own). The 3 posts I did were purposed towards helping Christians learn journaling, self-observation; self-examination; the setting of spiritual goals; self-assessment…; but more than that, to understand that the Christian walk is not possible without the upholding of the Holy Spirit.
Those were things Edwards learned in his walk, as he set his personal resolutions in writing and went about keeping them. Lawson extracted such things from Edwards’s diary entries to help modern Christians.
My three posts offer much insight on all those topics; see, CATEGORIES: Jonathan Edwards; A Glimpse Into His Spiritual Journey, parts 1-3.
All RED text below, as well as emboldening and underscoring are mine:
CHAPTER NINE
The Posture of Self-Examination
No man is more relevant to the present condition of Christianity than Jonathan Edwards. None is more needed. —D. MARTYN LLOYD-JONES
EXPOSED SIN
Edwards further purposed to examine himself in order to uproot indwelling sin so as to cultivate godliness. He was well aware that the weeds of iniquity must be removed if the “pleasant flowers” of holiness are to blossom. Being “truly religious” necessitated a regular audit of his soul to see whether wickedness was to be found. In resolution 37, Edwards wrote:
- Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec. 22 and 26, 1722.
- I am going to experiment with journaling my sin and instances of self-denial that I practiced during the day [that would be zero self-denial on many days], like Edwards, as a means of being more mindful of opportunities for self-denial. I have been shown that selfishness, and self-indulgence are the source of all sin; it is no wonder that Jesus called His followers to pick up their cross and to deny themselves as they followed Him.
TESTED DUTIES
Edwards resolved to make self-examination a priority when he faced unpleasant and trying times. He understood that God had given him duties that he must perform, and he wanted to be faithful always. Therefore, he set himself to let his anticipation of difficulties serve as a signal to examine his performance of his duties:
- Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether I have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9 and July 13, 1723.
This resolution seems to indicate that Edwards realized he could become disoriented in the midst of trials, losing sight of his Christian responsibilities. Therefore, he resolved that no trial would distract or deter him from his duties. He determined that when he foresaw trials ahead, he would take stock and then, “let it be as providence orders it.” Edwards knew that, ultimately, trials were sent by the all-wise, sovereign God for his sanctification and spiritual good. He simply wanted to remain alert and sober-minded during these challenging times.
- I tend to be anxious more than most and think that Edwards limited his concerns to not indulge himself with worry or anxiety. I know a little about that, as when I used to memorize a lot of scripture, I would focus on reviewing passages when I found myself worrying about something – if it was a concern I could do nothing about. I haven’t been in the habit of memorizing for several years, but am again trying to restart that wholesome activity.
- Lawson’s comment about ‘disorientation’ above, includes a major problem of mine: seeking to avoid painful situations, feelings…and escaping into more pleasant ones. Such things are not only distractions, but are escapes. They lead to irresponsibility regarding the work of God. Part of that work is my sanctification, and if I am running away from those providences that He sent to reshape me into the image of His Son, then I am being disobedient and irresponsible….
MONITORED FEELINGS
In resolution 60, Edwards set up another signal for self-examination. He wrote:
- Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination. July 4 and 13, 1723.
The warning sign here was Edwards’ “feelings.” Whenever his emotions were out of kilter “in the least,” he purposed to take time to understand the reason for it. He saw that a lack of inner peace should serve as an alarm that something was amiss within him. It might be that some sin, yet undiagnosed, was causing a lack of contentment. It might be that he was failing to trust God, thereby forfeiting his inner joy. These emotion-altering conditions demanded his attention so that he could make any necessary corrections.
- When Edwards became aware of a feeling, he would attempt to identify it and trace it to its source, the motive behind it. He couldn’t do that if he played it off, denied it, escaped it, avoided it…. That resolution required that he stay under the hand of God and process his feelings, discern his motives and act. His actions may have required him to own wrongdoing to God or another person; pray to God for direction….
For a downloadable self-exam form with instructions, click the following link: