Avoiding going through the motions of religion and ritual versus relationship and reality requires watchfulness over one’s heart.

Psalm 15 provides instruction or guidelines for self-examination, causing us to ask:  How do we maintain the right attitude and relationship with the Lord rather than ritual and religion?

Questions

What must we do in order to have a deep relationship with God?

What are the benefits of fellowship with God?

How can we live/abide in God’s presence?

Guidelines for self-examination

Is my walking upright?

• Have I been pure in my actions and motives?
• Does my walk live up to my talk/my claims?
• Does my walk draw attention to me or God?

Am I controlling my tongue?

• Have I been honest?
• Have I told the “complete” truth?
• Have I tried to make myself look better than I am?
• Have I spoken: harshly to or maliciously to others?
• Have I gossiped, slandered or in any way mistreated people with my words?
• Have I kept my word?

Am I being discerning?

• in how I use my time?
• in the activities I chose to involve myself?
• between good and evil?

Does money have control over me?

• Am I generous?
• Do I associate with the “lowly?”
• Do I change when I am with people of means?