Taking a Selfie

By: Julie Maschhoff

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you—unless, of course, you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5

When smartphones with cameras became prevalent, a new craze called "taking a selfie" spread worldwide. Selfies with our family and friends help us remember special moments, but the overuse of selfies can have negative effects. For example, as the 2026 NBA finals ended, two men rushed onto the court and attempted to take a selfie with a famous player. That ill-advised stunt got them banned from NBA games for life.

Why did Paul tell us to examine ourselves in Corinthians 13:5? You might say he was telling us to take a "spiritual selfie" to evaluate our faith journey. Christ followers must live their lives in a way that pleases God, and it requires us to follow His commands. Over and over, the scriptures command us to examine ourselves spiritually. It's vitally important, because if we don't know where we are spiritually, our faith won't grow.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

God knows everything about us, including who we are on the inside. But guess what... He loves us anyway! We can start our examination by taking a close look at our thoughts, words, and actions. It's the best place to start because they reflect what's going on in our hearts. Are we spending time with God (having a quiet time) and reading His Word? What does our prayer life look like? We must search every nook and cranny of our spiritual life. Be sure to examine the hidden places... Uncomfortable – maybe. Necessary – absolutely.

God created us uniquely, and He has given each one of us spiritual gifts. The Lord wants us to use the spiritual gifts He has given us to expand His kingdom. Our Heavenly Father wants us to include Him in our earthly lives because He has promised us eternal life in Christ Jesus! Don't dwell on your past mistakes, look ahead, and focus your gaze on the future! But remember, part of growing spiritually is being willing to take a "spiritual selfie" and examine ourselves.

Lord, I love, honor, and praise you. Thank you for walking with me each day. Please help me grow spiritually so that I will be able to serve you better. Amen