Examination of Conscience

[Guitarhero]

This is a long post (won't copy/paste all, though) but it just goes to show that sin just sneaks up on a person. I've been waiting over a year to post this. Hopefully, the non-catholics don't take offense (it's not exactly catholic-friendly around these parts ) but I'd like to open a discussion with my people on here. It's not a conversion attempt. We don't do that. I just want to discuss it as it's relevant to me/us. So many of you are hiding in the woodworks.

It seems like a lot to examine, it might seem legalistic, but is it really? I think the nuns were right. But there is mercy so none should despair. But does anyone regularly go through a laundry list to look over life? I think it is useful. Being a convert, I first came in contact with such a list attached to a little booklet of confessional prayers. Do you use one or do you ever feel like you're getting yourself afraid of just living daily? I used to feel that way at first. But sinning is inevitable and that feeling has subsided. Resting in His mercy, it's enough to keep away those feelings.


http://www.beginningcatholic.com/catholic-examination-of-conscience.html

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]The Ten Commandments


First Commandment

I am the LORD your God. You shall worship the Lord your God and Him only shall you serve.
Have I...

• Disobeyed the commandments of God or the Church?
• Refused to accept what God has revealed as true, or what the Catholic Church proposes for belief?
• Denied the existence of God?
• Nourished and protected my faith?
• Rejected everything opposed to a sound faith?
• Deliberately misled others about doctrine or the faith?
• Rejected the Catholic faith, joined another Christian denomination, or joined or practiced another religion?
• Joined a group forbidden to Catholics (Masons, communists, etc.)?
• Despaired about my salvation or the forgiveness of my sins?
• Presumed on God's mercy? (Committing a sin in expectation of forgiveness, or asking for forgiveness without conversion and practicing virtue.)
• Loved someone or something more than God (money, power, sex, ambition, etc.)?
• Let someone or something influence my choices more than God?
• Engaged in superstitious practices? (Incl. horoscopes, fortune tellers, etc.)
• Been involved in the occult? (Seances, ouija board, worship of Satan, etc.)
• Formally left the Catholic Church?
• Hidden a serious sin or told a lie in confession?

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[CoilyFields]

I am not Catholic and am in no way offended.

No matter what denomination you are you should do this!!! (obviously the only ones that may be taken out are the ones that specifically promote catholicism that one might not agree with).

Heres the problem with some of us Christian folk lol...

We think stopping an outward sin is all that is required of us. We have to conquer all sin, including those of the heart and mind...THEN...we gotta go DO some good.

Good list! Thanks Guitarhero

 

[makeupgirl]

Thanks Guitarhero,

I was listening to a message this morning that spoke of examing yourself. This is just right on time, sister.

 

[Guitarhero]

It also reminds me of Jewish practice, our brothers directly. Because all the laws concerning clean food, environment etc...all pointing to this...deep examination of the soul. We all could stand to learn more about our Jewish roots, even Jews (and us part-Jews ).

 

[Prudent1]

Guitarhero,
Absolute truth has no religious affiliation. It just is what it is... Self examination is biblical and therefore vital regardless of denominations. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Poohbear]

Guitarhero - I'm not Catholic and not offended at all. I would say examination of your conscience is not legalistic. I think it is a good idea for everyone to do, and I think more people need to do it, especially before pointing out others' wrongdoings or unfavorable actions. As I got older, I found myself going through "a laundry list" to look over life and find it useful too. It helps you get to know yourself better and be more aware of your actions and thoughts And it's so neat how your questions flow right into one another! I have found myself afraid of living daily sometimes, not all the time, but it has happened. It can be kinda scary to examine yourself. You may think and feel that you are one way but sometimes your mind and thoughts are showing you something different. It can be so conflicting sometimes. And don't get me started on that "sinning is inevitable" topic. I'll leave that alone! But anyway, I think that list of questions is a good start for examining one's conscience.

 

[ktykaty]

Guitarhero,
An examination of conscience so detailed is very useful while preparing for confession but
it isn't very practical for a daily use. IMHO examintion of conscience should occure every night. It's a way to look at your day looking for your sins and to prepare to do better the next day. That's how we grow in Christ.

 

[Guitarhero]

@Guitarhero,
An examination of conscience so detailed is very useful while preparing for confession but
it isn't very practical for a daily use. IMHO examintion of conscience should occure every night. It's a way to look at your day looking for your sins and to prepare to do better the next day. That's how we grow in Christ.

Exactly. It can be overwhelming and become a legalism, living in fear. Thing is, during confession, one begins to see patterns and ways to overcome them and those are the errors of struggle to pay attention to on a daily basis. I don't want anyone to think that I'm suggesting that this detailed examination of conscience is daily mandatory in the sense that, if you don't go through the list, then you are not in good terms with the Church or christianity in general. It's rather a way to reflect on the week or month(s) in which you prepare to go to reconciliation. Obviously, some people will see certain patterns in their lives and apply consciousness daily.

 

[Sharpened]

Even with the numerous passages reminding us to examine ourselves, there are even more asking Him to examine their souls, to eliminate what He does not like and strengthen us to remain on the path towards Him. Without His involvement, this becomes a meaningless exercise for one's own glory.

 

[Guitarhero]

Even with the numerous passages reminding us to examine ourselves, there are even more asking Him to examine their souls, to eliminate what He does not like and strengthen us to remain on the path towards Him. Without His involvement, this becomes a meaningless exercise for one's own glory.

You truly think that the leading of the H-ly Spirit is vain glory? Ok. If someone is examining his own life...he picked this up and is reading it, you don't think he's being convicted in any manner? It's nothing more than a guide to follow in the personal examination of an individual conscience. Thank the heavens G-d is G-d and is infinitely above any of us because if I had to live under the condemning eyes of people alone...I'd never make it and would have given up a long time ago. There is great mercy for those who look at themselves.

 

[Sharpened]

You truly think that the leading of the H-ly Spirit is vain glory? Ok. If someone is examining his own life...he picked this up and is reading it, you don't think he's being convicted in any manner? It's nothing more than a guide to follow in the personal examination of an individual conscience. Thank the heavens G-d is G-d and is infinitely above any of us because if I had to live under the condemning eyes of people alone...I'd never make it and would have given up a long time ago. There is great mercy for those who look at themselves.

I said: Without His involvement, this becomes a meaningless exercise for one's own glory.

Actually reread what I wrote and quit reacting from an emotional standpoint. I did not see anything about the Holy Spirit in your post. The reason I mentioned this is your list did not include getting confirmation from Him for what needs to be done. Since He can read our souls, He can also tell us what else we need to examine. If you were so worried about being offended, you could have written your own list.

 

[Guitarhero]

I said: Without His involvement, this becomes a meaningless exercise for one's own glory.

Actually reread what I wrote and quit reacting from an emotional standpoint. I did not see anything about the Holy Spirit in your post. The reason I mentioned this is your list did not include getting confirmation from Him for what needs to be done. Since He can read our souls, He can also tell us what else we need to examine. If you were so worried about being offended, you could have written your own list.

But I thought it should be automatically understood that even attempting to look at one's life ( in general) like that is actually through His involvement. I don't see where any vain glory would have entered this stage at all. When we sin and we look at ourselves in examination, that is the H-ly Spirit at work. I might not have said it overtly...I thought it was understood as part of the process. This is not a mandatory list but a guideline, even one that not all people use. Obviously, individuals use their own "guideline" when they decide to go to confession...or confess at home etc. They look inwardly. But we do have uniformity of worship. However, this is just simply a guide wirtten by someone for the benefit of assisting them in looking deeper.

About being offended...no, this is not a particularly pro-catholic CF and we all know that. But I still participate to try and get through the misunderstandings. It's not easy for non-protestants to post but I think there should be equal participation from all christians who would like to...to get through some of the walls that separate us socially. I'm not worried about posting, I am cautious about sending something in that is very definitely catholic in nature as not to cause some type of strife and further misunderstandings about the purpose of the material and the intent. I'm surprised that it was automatically assumed by you that this was not something initiating involvement of the H-ly Spirit. He is the one who prompts and leads folks to confess in the first place.

 

[ktykaty]

I said: Without His involvement, this becomes a meaningless exercise for one's own glory.

Actually reread what I wrote and quit reacting from an emotional standpoint. I did not see anything about the Holy Spirit in your post. The reason I mentioned this is your list did not include getting confirmation from Him for what needs to be done. Since He can read our souls, He can also tell us what else we need to examine. If you were so worried about being offended, you could have written your own list.

When you follow the link that was provided in the first post, it says:

[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif] To make an examination:

• Set aside some quiet time for reflection.
• Start by praying to the Holy Spirit, asking for help in making a good examination to prepare for Confession.
• Read through the items on this list and honestly reflect on your behavior for each item.
• If necessary, take this list or some brief notes (keep them private!) to Confession to help you remember things.

[/FONT]

When doing an examination of conscience, you ask the Holy Spirit to get involved and to show you your sins.

 

[Rainbow Dash]

I know that you are Catholic but why would the below statement be considered a sin? This is not to start a war, I'm just wondering. Is this considered sin by God or just your particular church?. I'm under the understanding that all believers in Christ make up the Church.

Rejected the Catholic faith, joined another Christian denomination, or joined or practiced another religion?

 

[Guitarhero]

^^^It is akin to rejecting the truth. What is someone who were SDA left for another denomination when they believe they have the full truth? You are leaving the truth. Same for Coptics, Orthodox, Pentecostals, Jews. This is not a new concept. However, it doesn't mean that these people raised in that faith are living in sin for "not knowing" the full truth. If someone preached that "Jesus was born under an apple tree and was a Black man in Africa." I've heard this...no joke...but that is a distorted lie in itself. If I knowingly leave the truth of Christ to worship a water buffalo, I'm in trouble, obviously. If they named that water buffalo "Jesus of Nazareth," it's is falsehood and it is not the same as worshipping the true Jesus of Nazareth. But that's if I make a conscious decision to do so, convincing myself of a new "truth."

 

[Sharpened]

Sorry for the late reply. Been busy and reluctant to testify.

In the world’s promotion of self-love, it is easy to start without the Holy Spirit or start off with Him and abandon His Guidance when praise and achievement arrives. Giving a reminder to stay humble and connected to Him should never evoke an offense if we are serious about this Way of His. What is worse is everything else I posted was overshadowed by one simple phrase. Disappointing…

I posted according to what was actually there. That part should have been quoted instead. I did check out the link and the contents wore my spirit out. On my knees in prayer with notebook and pencil in hand was all I have done. I trust His evaluation better than my own and He confirmed them in a dream. That was my whole point—let Him examine you and take your lumps.

An old issue the Lord had been working on me with flared up and, being sleepy, I gave into it. “Why do you keep running back to sin?” Jesus scolded. “There are too many rotten fish (corruption) in this neighborhood (my soul).” I began to plead my case, saying I needed an outlet, but asked for forgiveness instead. Forget going back to sleep after that!

About a week or two later, I ended up in the same position once again. Power poured into my mind and literally tore out the images. It was like pulling Velcro apart minus the noise. A chasm was left behind; I could not recapture those thoughts…nor did I want to. Isaiah 6:06 flashed behind my eyelids (the zero meaning start there), so I looked it up.

Isaiah 6:6-7 Then flew one of the seraphim to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar. And he laid it on my mouth, and said, “See, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged.”

Wow…

What a humbling shock to the system that was. I remembered when I first read it, thinking how lucky Isaiah was to have the Lord do that for him. Look at the trust he had, not only to have a hot coal touch his mouth, but to admit how impure and unworthy he was. I wonder if he felt the heat, His power or both. Oh, well, lesson learned: Abba is very serious about the purging of self and giving Him credit along the way.

 

[Guitarhero]

I did check out the link and the contents wore my spirit out. On my knees in prayer with notebook and pencil in hand was all I have done. I trust His evaluation better than my own and He confirmed them in a dream. That was my whole point—let Him examine you and take your lumps.

..........

Wow…

What a humbling shock to the system that was. I remembered when I first read it, thinking how lucky Isaiah was to have the Lord do that for him. Look at the trust he had, not only to have a hot coal touch his mouth, but to admit how impure and unworthy he was. I wonder if he felt the heat, His power or both. Oh, well, lesson learned: Abba is very serious about the purging of self and giving Him credit along the way.

That certainly wasn't the intent of the post and I'm glad you've recouped. Good point because there are some spiritual exercises beneficial to some and perhaps harmful for others, depending upon their level of "maturity" in the faith. Not maturity in how far you are as compared to another, but where you are. That's one reason I made sure one knew it was for catholic edification. We know how to use that spiritual exercise without becoming overwhelmed and anyone could certainly become run over with all that. If one has just a slight over-focus, it would become like Poohbear's confusion about sin and forgiveness. Very fine line, indeed. But self-examination is helpful for us to see all that is there, just like for the Hebrews - to examine all and find the sacrificial lamb spotless. Obviously, the absolutely spotless one is Jesus. But we are always being tested and measured from above. We all have an opportunity to improve.

Nymphe, if it troubles you, don't look at that again. It's better to know what YOU know than to become spiritually troubled and doubtful of yourself and/or your relationship to the Father. I wouldn't want anyone in that situation.

 

[Galadriel]

Guitarhero thanks for the post (I'm a convert, too!). It really helps me to examine my conscience because I even pick up on "small" things that have escaped my notice. It could be something I may have said to a friend or family member, or maybe a selfish action that really hurt someone, etc.

In this day and age, it's easy for one's conscience to be hardened or clouded, esp. when our society's "values" compete with Christian ones. It's refreshing to take time out and examine our actions and thoughts, and how they conform to our calling as children of God.