Examination of Conscience

Episode #41 | A Few Minutes with God

Most of us would rather not look too closely at our own hearts. Slowing down for an honest examination of conscience — asking what we have thought, said, and done, and where we have drifted from God — can feel uncomfortable. But it is one of the most freeing habits a believer can build. In this short episode of A Few Minutes with God, host Felice Gerwitz walks through what an examination of conscience is, why so many of us avoid it, and how to begin.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

What is an examination of conscience?

An examination of conscience is a prayerful review of your recent thoughts, words, and actions, measured honestly against God’s moral law. Think of your conscience as a kind of spiritual autopilot — the quiet inner sense that steers your everyday choices. Like any guide, it works best when it is well formed and checked often.

Why we avoid examining our conscience

Much of the world has lost its sense of sin, and looking inward can feel like the last thing we want to do. Yet a comfortable conscience is not the same as a clean one. As Paul reminds the Corinthians, “My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me” (1 Corinthians 4:4, NIV). Real peace does not come from our circumstances, or even from feeling fine about ourselves. It comes from being rightly related to God — and that relationship is worth an honest look.

How to examine your conscience — five steps

You do not need a complicated method. These five movements, drawn from the episode, are enough to begin:

Form your conscience. A good conscience is not automatic; it is taught. Fill your heart with what is true through Scripture, sound books, and trustworthy teaching so you can tell right from wrong before the moment of choice.
Recover a sense of sin. Naming sin honestly is not shame — it is the doorway to grace. Our freedom can also shape others, for how we live can either wound or strengthen a fellow believer’s conscience (1 Corinthians 8).
Look back honestly. Set aside a few minutes to reflect on your recent thoughts, words, and actions in light of God’s moral law. Where did you fall short in love of God and love of others?
Name and turn from temptation. Notice the patterns that pull you away, and step around them by God’s grace. As Paul assures us, God will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will also provide a way out (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Guard your heart daily. We would never leave a child near danger without watching; our souls deserve the same care. A regular examination of conscience is how we keep watch.

What Scripture says about examining yourself

The practice is woven through the Bible. “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5, NIV). The psalmist prays it as an invitation rather than a dread: “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, NIV). And when we bring what we find into the light, we are met with mercy, not condemnation, for Jesus sent His followers out with the ministry of forgiveness (John 20:21-23).

A short prayer to examine your conscience

If you are not sure how to start, borrow this: Lord, quiet my heart. Show me where I have wandered today in thought, word, and deed. Thank You for meeting me with grace, not condemnation. Guard me from temptation, and lead me one more step toward You. Amen.

Or begin a daily practise of examining your conscience.

Frequently asked questions

What is an examination of conscience?
It is a short, prayerful review of your recent thoughts, words, and actions, held up honestly against God’s moral law, so you can confess what needs confessing and grow closer to Him.

How often should you examine your conscience?
Many believers do it daily, often in the evening, looking back over the day. Even a few minutes is enough to make it a habit.

What questions do you ask during an examination of conscience?
Start simply: Where did I fall short in loving God today? Where did I fall short in loving the people around me — in my thoughts, my words, and my actions? What do I want to bring to God and leave with Him?

Is examining your conscience biblical?
Yes. Scripture invites it directly, from “Examine yourselves” (2 Corinthians 13:5) to “Search me, God” (Psalm 139:23), to Paul’s call to examine ourselves before the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11:28). The 10 Commandments are also a useful guide.

Related episodes from A Few Minutes with God

If this encouraged you, sit with one of these next:

Combating fear — standing on God’s promises when worry creeps in.
Peacemakers — what it means to be a peacemaker in a world that needs peace.
Faith time capsule — looking back to see how far the Lord has brought you.

Replay