On Sunday, we looked at John 6 and saw Jesus’ admonition to BEHOLD and COME to Him the Bread of Life. But often we find ourselves going to other “breads” to get satisfaction. We would rather be unsatisfied with the world than satisfied with God!

To what sources do you go? 1 Corinthians 10:12 (which we’re studying this week in Community Groups) calls us to watch out: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall…”

In the spirit of “taking heed,” below are a list of questions to help you determine how your spiritual diet is – are you feasting on the physical or are you beholding Jesus, the Bread of Life? Work through these carefully and prayerfully, asking God to reveal your major sin struggles, some of which you may not even know about! Then ask Him for strength to put them aside and pursue Him. It may also reveal the MOTIVATIONS in your heart that are driving you to sinful patterns. We hope these are a help to you:

First, consider these questions from Dane Ortlund’s Deeper (which the men are going through on Thursday/Friday mornings, pg. 100) to determine your idols/major sin struggles:

1. What does my mind tend to drift back to when I lie awake in bed?
2. What do I spend my disposable income on?
3. What in other people do I tend to envy?
4. What is one thing that, if God were to appear to me today and tell me I would never have it, would make life feel not worth living?
5. If I’m married, what would my spouse say I tend to give myself to that makes him or her feel neglected?
6. How would my heart – not my theology, but my heart – phrase teh hymn, “When _______, it is will with my soul”?
7. What do I find myself praying for that is nowhere promised in the Bible?

Here are some others:

1. When was the last time I spent significant time BEHOLDING God in His Word and prayer, a real dedicated time?
2. Am I more excited to get to heaven for physical reasons (no more stress or pain) or to BEHOLD Jesus face-to-face?
3. Do I love the GIVER more than the GIFT? HEALER more than the healing? In other words, would I be happy to have my suffering end and yet NOT be closer to Jesus? Consider this quote from CS LEwis, “if a voice said to me (and one I couldn’t disbelieve) ‘you shall never see the face of God, never help to save a neighbor’s soul, never be free from sin, but you shall live in perfect health till you are 100, very rich, and die the most famous man in the world, and pass into a twilight consciousness of a vaguely pleasant sort forever’ – how much would it worry me?”
4. Am I quick to make excuses when confronted with a sin in my life? Or do I own up to a mistake quickly and try to make it right? (Think about Pastor Robert’s message the week before – Am I more the “traffic made me late” or “I’m sorry, I’m incompetent to run my life”?)

Finally, here are some evaluation categories and questions (a “spiritual audit”) from a prayer guide Tessa Barron adapted from Brad Bigney:

1. Am I content with who I am becoming? Am I becoming more like Christ or more like my friends or more like the world? How would others characterize me? Would they think of me as a Christ-like example? Do they think of me as selfish or controlling, wanting my way, or do they think of me as serving, giving, thinking of others? As I grow one day closer to the person I am ultimately becoming, am I content with who I will be?
2. Is there something about God in me that those closest to me recognize as real and authentic? Is the awe of God growing in me? Would those around me recognize that I am doing what God wants? How are my actions and reactions at home? Do I live differently in front of others than I do at home?
3. Do I have a quiet center to my life? Do I get upset when things don’t go my way or someone talks about me or I want control? Do I rest in God that He knows what is best for me and His way is perfect? Does that peace helps me stay calm and not get upset with others. “God, You put this person here to crack me open and expose what I really am…help me to change to be more like You and rest in Your perfect plan.”
4. Is my prayer life improving? Do I even have a prayer life? Am I consistently meeting with God? Do I seek God in the little matters of life or just the big decisions? Do I see Him orchestrating my life—even in hard times?
5. Is my “spiritual diet” appropriate for me right now? Do I “eat” enough of God’s Word and His food? Or, do I starve myself and eat just tiny morsels when I think I need them? Am I feasting or just barely eating?
6. Are there any relationships in my life right now that have negative undertones? Is there anyone I try to avoid? Is there someone I find difficult to forgive? Is there someone I find difficult to ask God to bless and prosper?
7. Is obedience in the small matters a built-in reflex? Do I obey in the little things? Do I have integrity in my life, or do I make excuses for the little things I don’t want to do? Do I follow through? Good intentions are not acceptable to God. Good actions are well pleasing to Him. Do I obey God in the things no one ever sees—when no one is looking?
8. Am I using my unique God given ministry to encourage others? What do I do that comes easily? What excites me whenever I do it? How often do I place others’ needs above mine? Am I using my talents and time for God and for eternity? Am I making an impact on those around me?
9. Is my humility genuine? How do I handle my own disobediences? Do I truly humble myself before God? Do I submit to whatever God wants? Do I submit to the authority He has placed in my life? Or am I proud and want my way?  Is obedience an automatic reflex? Do I bargain with God or rationalize with Him? Do I give excuses or do I confess my disobediences?
10. Do I demonstrate joy in my life? Do my circumstances determine my joy or do I trust my God even when days aren’t good? Do I maintain a joy in Him? Am I known for grumbling, complaining and seeing the negative side of things, or do I see that God orchestrates everything that happens in my life? Do I trust God? When was the last time someone commented on the presence of joy in my life? Does joy extend into my suffering? Where does joy begin and end in my life?