Conducting A Spiritual Audit

12 questions to keep your personal accounts in order.

(Based on Fred Smith’s article in Leadership Journal, Winter 1998. Adapted by Jim Hammond for personal use, leadership retreat, and pastors' prayer summit )

How to use this web page. Print the page and take an hour alone with God with a pen in hand to allow God to identify points of change in your life. I found that each time I began to write my thoughts, God’s Spirit began to bring more and more insight to my life. Don’t just read this page for information, interact and journal your thoughts on the printed pages. That’s what the blank space is for.

1. Am I content with who I am becoming?

On my current course, will I finish well?

Does my profession consume my person?

It is important that we as Christian Leaders be more than we do or have.

(Psalms 46:10 NIV) "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

(Proverbs 16:1-9 NIV) To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. {2} All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. {3} Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. {4} The LORD works out everything for his own ends-- even the wicked for a day of disaster. {5} The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. {6} Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. {7} When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him. {8} Better a little with righteousness than much gain with injustice. {9} In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, if I were to continue on my current course, show me who I am becoming so that I might make some mid course adjustments.

Lord, what mid course adjustments do you want me to consider at this time?

2. Am I becoming less religious and more spiritual? The Pharisees were religious; Christ is spiritual. Many traditions are religious, while relation in Christ is spiritual.

(John 5:39-40 NIV) You diligently study the Scriptures because you think that by them you possess eternal life. These are the Scriptures that testify about me, {40} yet you refuse to come to me to have life.

Do I come to Jesus when I study the Scriptures?

(Luke 7:36-50 NIV) Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. {37} When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, {38} and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them. {39} When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is--that she is a sinner." {40} Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you." "Tell me, teacher," he said. {41} "Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. {42} Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?" {43} Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled." "You have judged correctly," Jesus said. {44} Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. {45} You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. {46} You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. {47} Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven--for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little." {48} Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." {49} The other guests began to say among themselves, "Who is this who even forgives sins?" {50} Jesus said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, Am I more like the Pharisees (controlled, reserved, holding back from You) or more like the woman who broke the alabaster jar and lavished her perfume upon you with reckless abandon. Lord, are our times together stiff and cold, ritualized, and formalized? Or have our times together been intimate in the warmth of spirituality?

3. Does my family recognize the authenticity of my spirituality? Do they see me as happy and whole? I would like to believe -- and must believe -- that if I'm growing spiritually, my family will recognize it. Would my wife say I bless them or that the blessings are hard to see because of the stresses I cause them? Am I sensitive to the needs of my wife and my children? Am I gentle, considerate, and kind?

(Ephesians 5:25-28 NIV) Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her {26} to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, {27} and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. {28} In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

(1 Peter 3:7 NIV) Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, I will bless and show honor and respect to my wife by . . .

Lord, I will bless my children by. . .

4. Do I have a flow-through philosophy? The Bible says, “He that believes in me out of his innermost parts will flow rivers of living water." Freshness is in the flow. The mountain stream is fresh; the Everglades are stagnant. The Sea of Galilee is fresh; the Dead Sea is stagnant. What is the problem with my flow-through? Is the problem in the inlets or the outlets? Do I see myself as the pipe or the pump? The pipe never gets tired. God is the pump. If I try to be the pipe and the pump I will grow very tired. Am I tired or energized by Christian Leadership? Why?

(John 15:5 NIV) "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

(Galatians 5:22-25 NIV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, {23} gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. {24} Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. {25} Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

(Ephesians 5:18-21 NIV) Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit. {19} Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, {20} always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. {21} Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, show me the areas that I’m not allowing you to “fill” and flow through. . .

Lord, help me to remove the clogs of . . .

Lord, I want to see more fruit of the Spirit, specifically, . . . .

5. Do I have a quiet center to my life? “Peace is what God wants for you no matter what is happening." There is a difference between the fast-track and frantic track. It is not God's will for me to be on the frantic track. Is the statement "when in trouble, when in doubt, run in circles, scream, and shout," my life verse, or is it "Be still, and know that I am God."? Jesus didn't have a day planner. He simply “went about doing good." While he was on his way to raise a dead child, he stopped to help a woman with an issue of blood. He didn't prioritize raising the dead over helping the sick. He simply went about doing the good that came his way. Jesus had a quiet center. Do I have it too? Peace is the evidence of God.

(John 14:27 NIV) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

(John 16:33 NIV) "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world."

(Colossians 3:15 NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

(Acts 24:16 NIV) So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, I receive your Peace. Forgive me for getting on the fast-track. Show me, Lord, how I have not allowed your peace to rule over me.

6. Have I defined my unique ministry? Do I know what I can do effectively? The need is always bigger than any person can satisfy, and so my call is simply to handle the part of the need that is mine to do. "Opportunity is never mandate." What do I want written on my tombstone? What do I do uniquely well? This is a question of definition. Then there is the question of discipline. Do I struggle with the definition or the discipline?

(Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV) Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; {6} in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

(2 Timothy 1:6 NIV) For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

(1 Timothy 6:6 NIV) But godliness with contentment is great gain.

(2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV) For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; {6} and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; {7} and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. {8} For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, thank you for gifting me with _________________, help me to be disciplined and faithful to develop this good gift and use it to your glory. Give me glimpses of how to honor you with the gifts you have given me.

7. Is my prayer life improving? Do I pray that prayer of reality to God who is in the room hearing, or is my prayer in a form as if others were in the room listening? Do my decisions have prayer as an integral part, or do I make decisions out of my desires and then immerse them in a sanctimonious sauce I call prayer?

(Mark 1:35 NIV) Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.

(Luke 5:16 NIV) But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.

(Psalms 37:4 NIV) Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, I delight in you . . .

8. Have I maintained a genuine awe of God? What was the last time I watched God work and in effect said to God "Go, God, go!"?

(Psalms 104 NIV) Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendor and majesty. {2} He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent {3} and lays the beams of his upper chambers on their waters. He makes the clouds his chariot and rides on the wings of the wind. {4} He makes winds his messengers, flames of fire his servants. {5} He set the earth on its foundations; it can never be moved. {6} You covered it with the deep as with a garment; the waters stood above the mountains. {7} But at your rebuke the waters fled, at the sound of your thunder they took to flight; {8} they flowed over the mountains, they went down into the valleys, to the place you assigned for them. {9} You set a boundary they cannot cross; never again will they cover the earth. {10} He makes springs pour water into the ravines; it flows between the mountains. {11} They give water to all the beasts of the field; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. {12} The birds of the air nest by the waters; they sing among the branches. {13} He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the earth is satisfied by the fruit of his work. {14} He makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate-- bringing forth food from the earth: {15} wine that gladdens the heart of man, oil to make his face shine, and bread that sustains his heart. {16} The trees of the LORD are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted. {17} There the birds make their nests; the stork has its home in the pine trees. {18} The high mountains belong to the wild goats; the crags are a refuge for the coneys. {19} The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down. {20} You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl. {21} The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God. {22} The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens. {23} Then man goes out to his work, to his labor until evening. {24} How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. {25} There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number-- living things both large and small. {26} There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. {27} These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. {28} When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. {29} When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. {30} When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. {31} May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works-- {32} he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. {33} I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. {34} May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. {35} But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, I’m in awe of the way you. . .

9. Is my humility genuine? Nothing is so arrogant as false humility. Humility is accepting my strength with gratitude. Humility is not denying the power that I have, but admitting that the power comes through me, not from me. We are not to pray to be given humility; that in turn would have to be answered with tribulation. We're told to humble ourselves. Am I doing it?

(Isaiah 57:15 NIV) For this is what the high and lofty One says-- he who lives forever, whose name is holy: "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite.

(Psalms 51:17 NIV) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

(Philippians 2:3 NIV) Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, am I quick to agree with You and admit to you and others that I am wrong? God, show me my prideful heart when I insist on “being right” in wrong ways. Help me to rejoice when others are praised and my accomplishments go unnoticed by men.

10. Is my "spiritual feeding" the right diet for me?

(Matthew 4:4 NIV) Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, show me where my spiritual diet is off.

11. Is obedience in small matters built into my reflexes? My good intentions count for little. How do I handle disobedience? Do I give excuses or confessions? Is there anything in the physical dimension of my life over which I do not have proper control, in obedience to Christ? Is my money management under control? Is my use of time under control? Is my sex life under control? Is my thought life under control? Is my diet under control? How about exercise? (Regular exercise can add years to my ministry).

(Matthew 25:23 NIV) "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, show me the small matters that I tend to ignore that are important to you.

12. Do I have joy? If not, why not? Joy is promised to me. Do I have it? If the relationship with Christ is right, I do. My joy is perfected in the full belief of God's sovereignty. Doubt dilutes joy. Does my joy extend into my suffering? My suffering is my maturation.

(James 1:2-3 NIV) Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, {3} because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

(John 15:11 NIV) I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.

(John 17:13 NIV) "I am coming to you now, but I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.

(Psalms 51:12 NIV) Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Prayer Prompters:

Lord, Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

Summary:

1. Am I content with who I am becoming?

2. Am I becoming less religious and more spiritual?

3. Does my family recognize the authenticity of my spirituality?

4. Do I have a flow-through philosophy?

5. Do I have a quiet center to my life?

6. Have I defined my unique ministry?

7. Is my prayer life improving?

8. Have I maintained a genuine awe of God?

9. Is my humility genuine?

10. Is my "spiritual feeding" the right diet for me?

11. Is obedience in small matters built into my reflexes?

12. Do I have joy?

My motive:

The most important element in my spiritual audit is my motive for wanting one. Am I working for progress or for pride, too often, some of each. My life is a mixed bag.

Concluding Evaluation: As with all evaluation, any self-examination should be built on three questions:

1. What are my strengths?

2. What are my weaknesses?

3. What do I have to change?

And Remember: The process of change is essentially the process of altering your habit patterns. If you do something once, you can do it twice. Do it twice, and you can do it three times. Do it three times, and you’re beginning to make a habit of it.