09/04/2026
People of God, it is good every now and then to examine ourselves and ask, “What kind of member am I?”
Not to examine anybody else.
Not to point fingers.
But to honestly look in the mirror of God’s Word and ask, “Lord, am I a healthy member of the body of Christ?”
Am I growing?
Am I serving?
Am I encouraging others?
Am I walking in love?
Can I receive correction?
Am I helping build the church, or am I tearing it down and contributing to division?
The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.”
Sometimes we spend so much time examining the church, the pastor, the choir, the deacons, and everybody else that we forget to examine ourselves.
Before I ask, “What's wrong with the church?”
I need to ask, “Lord, is there anything wrong in me?”
Because a healthy church is made up of members willing to take a good look in the mirror and make some changes—and sometimes the revival we are praying for needs to begin with an honest examination of ourselves.
Here are signs of an Unhealthy Church Member
1. They hear the Word but don't obey it
James 1:22 — “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…”
An unhealthy member can hear sermon after sermon without allowing the Word to change their behavior.
2. They refuse spiritual growth
Hebrews 5:12–13 — “For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again…”
There should be progression in our spiritual lives. We shouldn't remain spiritually immature year after year.
3. They are controlled by the flesh
1 Corinthians 3:1–3 — Paul describes believers who were still “carnal” because of jealousy and strife.
Jealousy, arguments, competition, and division are signs of spiritual immaturity.
4. They cause division
Titus 3:10–11 — “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.”
Scripture warns against people who repeatedly create conflict and division.
5. They gossip and tear others down
Ephesians 4:29 — “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying…”
Healthy members use their words to build, not destroy.
6. They refuse correction
Proverbs 12:1 — “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish.”
A healthy believer can receive correction.
7. They are easily offended
Proverbs 19:11 — “The discretion of a man deferreth his anger; and it is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
Maturity teaches you that everything doesn't deserve a reaction.
8. They have religion without transformation
2 Timothy 3:5 — “Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof…”
They may look religious externally while remaining unchanged internally.
9. Their heart is far from God
Matthew 15:8 — “This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.”
You can look connected to God publicly while being disconnected from Him privately.
10. They don't produce spiritual fruit
Matthew 7:16–20 — “Ye shall know them by their fruits.”
The evidence of spiritual health is ultimately seen in fruit.
11. They don't love other believers
1 John 4:20 — “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar…”
Our relationship with God should affect how we treat people.
12. They are unwilling to forgive
Colossians 3:13 — “Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another…”
Unresolved offense can become spiritual poison.
13. They are hearers but don't examine themselves
2 Corinthians 13:5 — “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith…”
Healthy believers regularly ask, “Lord, what's happening in me?”
14. They have lost their first love
Revelation 2:4–5 — “Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love.”
You can still work, serve, attend, and look busy while your love for Christ is declining.
15. They don't bear one another's burdens
Galatians 6:2 — “Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”
A healthy church member doesn't just ask, “Who can help me?” They also ask, “Who can I help?”
“Spiritual health is not measured by how long you've been in church, how many Scriptures you know, or how busy you are in ministry. Spiritual health is revealed by your fruit, your character, your relationships, your response to correction, and your willingness to become more like Christ.”
