How do you know when you are deceived? You can’t figure this out on your own and need others to help. How do you know when you are self-righteous? Do you think there are self-righteous people? Are they aware of this? Do they identify as such? What do you think is the source of the problems in the world? Can you readily identify them? Does your list of immediate responses include only those other than yourself, outside your group and creed? Can you only see evil outside of yourself? If you think that everyone other than you is the problem then you may be self-righteous.

Are you familiar with the passage of scripture that says that my mercies are new every morning? I set the world up to run in one day increments so you can take things one day at a time. Even so, every day is different and presents a different set of challenges. And so you have my promise that the mercy you receive every day is appropriate for that day; custom made if you will. Do you walk with a conscious awareness of the presence of mercy in your life? Are you sufficiently attuned to it to see how the characteristic flavor of it changes to meet your current needs?

Do you believe correct doctrine? How would you know if your doctrine was incorrect? Believers study diligently to understand the truth of reality. Is the purpose of this study an end in itself, or is there a greater purpose to knowing the truth? Does your comprehension of doctrine make you more loving, generous, patient, joyful, meek, gentle and all the other fruits of the spirit? If not, then how is it useful to you and others? Do you know people who are stronger in character and conduct than in doctrine, and others who are the other way around? Who would you rather associate with?

Are you growing in faith and righteousness and spiritual maturity? Are you following a structured program to do this or are you letting nature take its course? Are you seeing as much progress as you would like or are you disappointed with your rate of improvement? People in focused disciplines use a structured system of practice. They identify the aspect of their performance most in need of improvement and work on it systematically. Can you see how you would apply the same concept to your spiritual development?