Self-Examination vs Morbid Introspection

Christians are called to the practice of self-examination. 

Having the need to correct the Corinthian church for their abuse and misuse of the Lord’s Supper, the Apostle Paul wrote to them saying, “Whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:26–28).

This habit of self-examination is a worthy discipline, and one that we aim to accomplish at the beginning of our worship services in our time of confession. But it’s important to note that this call to self-examination is not a call to what some have termed “morbid introspection.” 

In his book Spiritual Depression, the great preacher Martyn Lloyd-Jones helpfully laid out the difference between biblical self-examination and morbid introspection. He wrote,

“…if we are always doing it, always, as it were, putting our soul on a plate and dissecting it, that is introspection. And if we are always talking to people about ourselves and our problems and troubles, and if we are forever going to them with that kind of frown upon our face and saying: I am in great difficulty—it probably means that we are all the time centered upon ourselves. That is introspection, and that in turn leads to the condition known as morbidity.” 

And so while this Table is a reminder to examine ourselves, it is also a powerful help for those who are prone to that kind of excessive inwardness that Lloyd-Jones describes. 

This sacrament is medicine for the weary and weak in faith, who struggle to lift their eyes beyond themselves. For here, every week, you come to your Lord Jesus. And no matter how you feel, the minister declares that His body was broken and His blood was poured out for you. And as you eat this bread, and drink this wine, the Spirit is pleased to lift your eyes of faith away from yourselves to heaven, that you may catch a glimpse of your risen Lord who is pleased with you. 

So come, and welcome, to Jesus Christ.