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I have failed to take action to alleviate suffering in the world.
I have not studied contemporary “hot” issues in society, informing myself on the
Christian principles at stake.
I have neglected my civic responsibilities.
I have not provided a good work environment for those I supervise/employ.
I have neglected to befriend new people in my school, workplace, or neighborhood.
I have not provided the necessary spiritual leadership in my home.
Prayer after the Examination
O my God, how great are my sins! I wish that I had never offended You! If by carelessness or ignorance I have forgotten anything in my self-examination, I pray for the Holy
Spirit to show it to me now so that I can make a good, full, and complete confession; in
Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Prayer of Contrition
O My God, I cry to You with the prodigal son: “Father, I have sinned against heaven,
and before you, and am no longer worthy go be called Your son.” But now, O God, give
me true sorrow of heart for my many sins, and give me courage to fully confess them in
the presence of the minister You appoint for me; in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Having now finished your examination of conscience, the next step is to open the Book
of Common Prayer (1979) to page 446 and read the instructions. After this, you will
ready to fulfill James 5:16: "Confess your sins one to another, and pray for one another
that you may be healed." Be encouraged: God is ready to forgive, cleanse, bless, and
heal!
Examination
Of
Conscience
Prayer of Self-Examination
Come Holy Spirit, source of all light and truth, Spirit of wisdom and
understanding, come now to help me examine myself in the light of Your
holiness, truth, and love. Enlighten me, and help me to know my sins as
one Day I shall be forced to recognize them before Your judgment seat.
Bring to my mind the evil that I have done, and the good that I have
neglected. Save me from spiritual blindness, and give me the gift of true
sorrow for my sins, knowing how deeply they have wounded the Father’s
loving heart, and the awful price the Son Jesus Christ paid for them. Thank
You for the sure promise that if I confess my sins, You will be faithful and
just to forgive me and cleanse me from all unrighteousness.
Prince of Peace Anglican Church
6895 Murrell Road
Melbourne, FL 32940
(321) 253-9102
www.popv.org
C. Prudery
I. Pride
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I put myself in the place of God.
I refuse to recognize my status as being under God’s authority.
I resent being under the authority of another person (boss, teacher, parent, etc.).
I tend to see the roads / highways as my own, and other drivers as intruders.
If I do not agree with a traffic law, I break the law (speed limits, red lights,
stop signs, etc.).
In general, I consider other people as rather ignorant compared to myself.
I tend to believe that, whatever the job, I could do a better job than the person
now doing it.
I believe my spouse is inferior to me.
I prefer to be served, rather than serve.
A. Irreverence
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I do not make Sunday worship a top priority.
In worship services, I just “go through the motions.”
I fail to thank God for His many blessings given to me.
My religious activities are an attempt to make God do some thing for me.
I make promises to God, or do religious things, in order to get on God’s good
side.
B. Sentimentality
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I am more concerned with beautiful religious ceremonies than seeking to obey
God’s will.
My Sunday morning worship experience can be ruined if the liturgy is not
performed exactly “by the book.”
If a hymn does not move me, or “isn’t my style,” I refuse to sing it.
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D. Cruelty
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I tend to depend on my own strength instead of God’s.
I leave tasks I consider beneath myself to others.
I have a disciplined spiritual life, and I am very satisfied that this has made me
better than others.
I have had an abortion, or facilitated an abortion.
I have inflicted mental or physical pain on others.
I have tormented animals.
VII. SLOTH
This sin is the refusal to respond to our opportunities for growth, work, service,
or sacrifice.
A. Indolence
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I have been lazy in performing spiritual, mental, or physical duties, or neglected
my family, business, school, or social obligations or courtesies.
I have put off doing disliked tasks.
I have engaged in “busyness” to avoid more important commitments.
I have spent too much time on rest, recreation, amusement, television, video
games, the internet, worldly reading, etc.
I have wasted time while “on the clock” at work.
I have not given my best effort to my job, school work.
B. Indifference
C. Presumption
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I am afraid of sex, or believe it is bad.
I have refused to seek godly sexual education, and/or have attempted to prevent
others from receiving it.
I have stimulated an unhealthy interest in sexual matters by shrouding sexual
matters in secrecy.
I have refused to give my spouse appropriate sexual encounters.
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I have been unconcerned for the lost, and have not embraced my responsibility
to be a witness for Jesus Christ in the world.
I have been unconcerned over injustice, especially injustice caused by accepted
worldly standards.
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A. Intemperance
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I have overindulged in food, drink, tobacco, or other pleasures.
I have been “fussy”-overly demanding and insistent on excessively high
standards at hotels, restaurants, others’ homes, etc.
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B. Lack of Discipline
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I have neglected keeping days of fasting or abstinence.
I have neglected my physical health by failing to get adequate rest, recreation,
exercise, nourishment, or medical attention when needed.
I have used illness to escape responsibilities.
VI. LUST
This sin is the misuse of the sexual faculties for personal gratification, debasing
it from the holy purpose intended by God.
A. Unchastity
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I have violated the Bible’s teachings on marriage.
I have demanded sexual pleasure from my spouse.
I have refused to fulfill the purpose of marriage in bringing forth and giving
adequate care for children, and for sharing the responsibilities of the work
involved.
I have committed adultery.
I have engaged in sexual activity outside of marriage.
I have looked at a person other than my spouse and engaged in sexual thoughts.
I have looked at sexually arousing images, or read sexually explicit material, in
magazines, films, pictures, or the internet.
I have had sexual activity with myself.
B. Immodesty
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I have sought to stimulate others sexually by the way I dress, talk, or other
actions.
I have collected and / or distributed pornography.
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I believe I am strong enough to resist temptation, so I do not avoid areas in
which I have been vulnerable in the past.
In working with others, I insist on my own ideas, plans, and customs.
I do not recognize my job as a divine vocation, and do not offer my daily labors
to God.
I have an unwillingness to surrender to Jesus, and allow Him to act in and
through me.
I do not offer intercessory prayer for people, causes, and concerns but, instead,
try to “manage” these on my own.
For me, if it’s not perfect, it’s not acceptable.
D. Distrust
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Instead of trusting in God’s providence, wisdom, and love, I worry about things.
Instead taking God at His Word, I have asked God to forgive me for past sins
that I have already confessed.
I have attempted to control, or learn about, the future by means of astrology,
spiritualism, fortune telling, horoscopes, and the like.
I have engaged in superstitious, or “magic,” practices.
I have been told that I am overly sensitive, or “touchy.”
I believe others will not like me, mistreat me, and/or reject me.
I am inclined to interpret others’ comments as negative against me.
I tend to be overly suspicious of others.
I do not like to accept responsibility.
I find myself lacking courage in facing difficulty or suffering.
I tend to give in to feelings of depression, gloom, pessimism, discouragement,
self-pity, and fear of death instead of trusting God to enable me to be brave,
cheerful, and hopeful.
E. Disobedience
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I have rejected God’s known will in favor of my own plans.
I have disobeyed the legitimate laws of my government.
I have rejected the authority of legitimate civil leaders, church leaders, parents,
teachers, employers.
I have failed to love my wife as Christ loves the church.
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I have rebelled against my husband’s godly authority.
I have obeyed God and/or others with a reluctant or bad attitude.
I have been too absorbed in my own interests to devote the proper time and
energy to the things of God.
I have violated the confidence of another.
I have broken legitimate contracts or promises.
I have been irresponsible in my obligation to God and others.
I have been disloyal and untrustworthy with others.
I have caused unnecessary disappointment to others.
I have brought shame, anxiety, or grief to those who love me.
F. Impenitence
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I have refused to search out and face up to my sins.
I have not confessed my sins to God as directed by His Word: “one to
another” (James 5:16).
When confronted with my sins, I have abandoned my duty to repent by saying,
“Well, that’s just the way I am.”
When confronted with my sins, I have minimized their significance.
I have compared myself to others I consider worse sinners than myself in order
to make myself feel better or look good to others.
I have refused to accept just punishment/correction.
I have refused to make restitution where possible.
I have lied to escape the consequences of my sins.
I have allowed another person to be blamed for my sins.
Instead of humbling myself before God, I have yelled and screamed at myself in
anger, or thought angry thoughts at myself, or engaged in other forms of self
vengeance.
My pride has been hurt by my sin because it makes me look less respectable.
I have felt sorry not for offending God and others, but simply because I got
caught.
I have failed to confess sin because I feared it would hurt my reputation.
I refuse to admit I am wrong to others, even when I know I am in the wrong.
I have refused to accept God’s forgiveness.
I have refused to accept others’ forgiveness.
I have refused to forgive myself.
C. Avarice
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I have pursued wealth beyond my basic needs.
I have stolen goods, or shared in stolen goods.
I have lied, misrepresented the facts.
I have withheld, or failed to disclose, the truth.
I have cheated in business, taxes, school, sports, or games.
I have made worldly wealth my basis for judging others.
D. Prodigality
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I have wasted natural resources or personal possessions.
I have lived beyond my means.
I have failed to pay my debts.
I have engaged in gambling, or sought unearned profit.
I have borrowed money for unnecessary purposes.
I have been careless or unfaithful with others’ money placed in my trust.
I have spent money on myself that should have been spent on others.
E. Penuriousness
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I have placed undue energy into protecting my wealth.
I have been selfish in insisting on vested interests or claimed rights.
I have refused to help support those who have a legitimate claim on me.
I have “mooched” or “sponged” off of others.
I have been stingy with my own wealth.
I have not given generously of my time, talent, and wealth to the Church.
I have refused to pay legitimate bills and pledges.
I have not paid workers a fair and just wage.
I have condemned some material pleasures as evil in themselves, attempting to
prohibit their use, instead of their abuse.
V. GLUTTONY
This sin is the overindulgence of natural appetites for food and drink, and, by
extension, the inordinate quest for pleasure and comfort.
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I have condemned some material pleasures as evil in themselves, attempting to
prohibit their use, instead of their abuse.
IV. COVETOUSNESS
This sin is the refusal to respect the integrity of other creatures, expressed in the
inordinate accumulation of material things; in the use of other persons of our personal
advantage; or in the quest for status, power, or security at their expense.
A. Inordinate Ambition
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I have pursued status, power, influence, reputation, possessions at the expense of
the moral law, of other obligations, or of the rights of others.
I have been ruthless or unfair in competition.
I have put self, or family, first.
I have compromised God’s standards to get ahead.
I have engaged in intrigue or conspiracy to get ahead.
B. Domination
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I have sought to use or possess others.
I have overprotected my children.
I have refused to punish or correct my children for fear of losing their affection.
I have insisted that my children conform to my plans for their future.
I have imposed my will upon others by force, guile, whining, or refusal to
cooperate.
I have abused my authority.
I am guilty of patronizing, pauperizing, putting others under a debt of gratitude,
or considering myself ill-used when others’ affection or compliance is not for
forthcoming.
I have engaged in favoritism, partiality, flattery, fawning, or bribery to win support or affection.
I have refused to uphold truth, to fulfill duties, to perform good acts, or to defend
those wrongfully accused because I fear criticism or ridicule, or because I have
sought to gain the favor or approval of others.
I have led, tempted, or enticed another person into sin.
G. Vanity
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I credit myself, rather than God, for my accomplishments, talents, good works,
abilities, and insights.
I do not thank others for their assistance.
I delay in asking others for help when I need it.
I proclaim a standard of righteous behavior that I do not even attempt to practice
myself (hypocrisy).
I am delighted when others think I am more virtuous than I truly am.
I harshly judge others for the same faults I myself have.
In order to draw attention to myself, I have boasted, exaggerated, talked too
much, or claimed abilities, wisdom, and influence that I do not have.
In order to draw attention to myself, I have engaged in eccentric or ostentatious
behavior.
I devote excess time, energy, and money on making my appearance appealing in
order to impress others (excessive body building, excessive make up, etc.).
I devote excess time, energy, and money on making my appearance slovenly or
shocking in order to attract others’ attention (strange clothing, body piercing,
etc.).
I seek, desire, and delight in getting compliments from others.
H. Arrogance
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It is important to me that others conform to my wishes.
It is important to me that others recognize my leadership.
It bothers me when others do not esteem me as highly as I esteem myself.
I have been overbearing, argumentative, opinionated, and obstinate.
I. Snobbery
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My particular style of worship is more pleasing to God than other styles.
My family background makes me superior to others.
I believe that my educational degrees/achievements make me a more valuable
person than the less educated.
My athletic achievements make me more valuable than others.
My good personality and/or looks make me special.
My wealth makes me an elite person.
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I believe that my race is superior to other races.
I have not befriended the lonely or outcast in my school, workplace, or neighborhood.
II. Wrath
This sin is open rebellion against God and others in order to eliminate any
obstacle to our self-seeking, and is manifested in retaliation against any threat to our
security and vengeance against any insult or injury.
A. Resentment
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I have refused to seek God for His will for my life.
I have chosen to be dissatisfied with the talents, abilities, and/or opportunities
God has given me.
I have been unwilling to accept difficulties God has permitted to enter my life.
I have attempted to escape from reality rather than seeking God’s help in
difficulties.
I have attempted to force my will upon reality rather than accept hardship.
I have transferred to God, my parents, teachers, or others the blame for my own
difficulty adjusting to life.
I have expressed hostility and hatred against God.
I have embraced a cynical attitude.
I have grumbled and complained.
I have used profanity.
B. Pugnacity
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I have physically attacked another person.
I have physically damaged property.
I have verbally attacked another person.
I have been combative, hostile or aggressive with another person.
I have nursed a grudge against another.
I have cursed or insulted another person.
I have engaged in quarrelsomeness, bickering, contradiction, nagging, rudeness,
or snubbing.
I have gossiped.
C. Retaliation
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I have sought vengeance for wrongs, real or imagined, committed against me.
I have plotted revenge against others.
I have issued harsh punishments to others.
People have told me that I am harsh, sullen, and make rash judgments.
I have refused to forgive others.
I have refused to work for peace with others.
I have refused to love, do good to, and/or pray for my enemies.
I have unjustifiably ostracized another person.
I have sought to spoil another person’s pleasure by my bad attitude.
I have initiated, collected, and transmitted gossip.
III. ENVY
This sin is dissatisfaction with our place in God’s order of creation, manifested
in an unthankful attitude for His gifts, vocation, and blessing to others.
A. Jealousy
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I experience displeasure with the talents, success, or blessings of others.
I engage in selfish or unnecessary rivalry or competition.
When someone I envy experiences difficulty, I feel glad.
I am known to belittle others.
B. Malice
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I have ill-will toward others.
I have made false accusations against others.
I have slandered others.
I read false motives into others’ behavior.
I have aroused, fostered, or organized antagonism against another person.
I have been unnecessarily critical of other people.
I have deliberately annoyed, teased, or bullied other people.
C. Contempt
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I have scorned another person’s virtue, ability, shortcoming, or failure.
I have prejudice against people I consider inferior, or who consider me inferior,
or who seem to threaten my sense of security, position, or social standing.
I have ridiculed people and institutions.
I have looked with disdain on ideals.