Yesterday we defined the word, “examine.” Today, the Apostle commands, “prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you.” The Greek word for “prove” is distinct from the one for “examine.” It specifically means “to approve.” This word is used in The Parable of the Great Supper in which a man uses the excuse of going out to “test” or prove some oxen. He had to make sure they were of good quality.

Before buying a used car, you would want to take it on a test drive and to a trusted mechanic to be certain as possible that it was reliable. When a new ship comes out of the shipyards it is taken to proving grounds to be sure it is seaworthy before setting out on a long voyage. We are to “examine” our hearts, but much more we are to “prove” or test our lives in order to be certain that we are genuine Christians.

We don’t want to be tares among the wheat. Can you prove you are a wheat and not a tare?