Alcoholics Anonymous uses the concept of “taking inventory” as part of its 12-step program. Here’s how it’s generally approached:
Step 4 – Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
This step involves a deep and honest self-examination. Members are encouraged to reflect on their flaws, mistakes, and negative patterns of behavior.
Step 10 – Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
This step involves continually monitoring one’s behavior and attitudes, acknowledging mistakes, and making amends quickly when necessary.
In both steps, the taking of our inventory is not about self-criticism or guilt, but rather about self-awareness and personal growth.
Hosea and Taking Inventory
Let’s examine today’s Bible passage from Hosea and take inventory of our personal lives while reading the verses.
Ephraim has become like a dove,
silly and without sense;
they call upon Egypt, they go to Assyria.
As they go, I will cast my net over them;
I will bring them down like birds of the air;
I will discipline them according to the report made to their assembly.
Woe to them, for they have strayed from me!
Destruction to them, for they have rebelled against me!
I would redeem them,
but they speak lies against me. (Hosea 7.11-13)
Here are some questions we can ask ourselves as we think about Hosea’s words:
(1) Do I behave like a silly dove, constantly changing my ideas, positions, or allegiances?
(2) When God disciplines me, do I willingly respond, or does He need to cast His net and bring me down to a place where I’m willing to listen?
(3) The term ‘hypocrite’ refers to a play actor. Am I pretending before God, professing one thing but doing another?
While God can set me free from the bondage of sin, my unwillingness to be honest prevents Him from doing so.
Attempts to Manipulate
When our needs dominate our thoughts, we often try to manipulate God to fulfill our desires. Observe the fervent prayer Hosea describes, but also take note of the dishonest behavior the nation exhibited.
They do not cry to me from the heart,
but they wail upon their beds;
they gash themselves for grain and wine;
they rebel against me.
It was I who trained and strengthened their arms,
yet they plot evil against me.
They turn to that which does not profit;
they have become like a defective bow;
their officials shall fall by the sword
because of the rage of their tongue.
So much for their babbling in the land of Egypt. (Hosea 7.14-16)
Let’s return to our spiritual inventory and ask more questions:
(4) What do my prayers reflect about my trust or lack of it with God?
Our way of speaking to God reflects our relationship with Him. It’s beneficial to spend time reflecting on our language and emotions toward God to determine if we are trying to be aligned with Him to get Him to give us what we want.
(5) Am I aware of God’s activity in my life? Do I see the events of my life as both training and strengthening me? Can I look at my life and agree with Paul’s words to the Romans?
We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose (Romans 8.28).
(6) When I examine my life, what do I most often turn to? Is it something that makes my life and those around me richer, or is it a valueless, empty pursuit?
I hope you’ve done more than just read my thoughts today.
I encourage you to join me in a sincere spiritual examination of these verses and any other Bible verses you’re reading. Let us allow God’s Word to bring us closer to Him.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 