Definition and Meaning:
To scrutinize means to examine or inspect closely and thoroughly. In a biblical context, it involves a careful and detailed examination of one's actions, thoughts, or the teachings and doctrines presented in Scripture. The act of scrutinizing is often associated with discernment and wisdom, ensuring that one's life aligns with God's will and truth.

Biblical References and Context:
The concept of scrutinizing is woven throughout Scripture, emphasizing the importance of discernment and careful examination in the life of a believer. While the specific term "scrutinize" may not appear frequently in the Bible, the principle is evident in various passages.

1. Testing the Spirits:
In 1 John 4:1, believers are urged to scrutinize spiritual teachings: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world." This verse highlights the necessity of examining teachings to ensure they align with biblical truth.

2. Examining Oneself:
The Apostle Paul encourages self-examination in 2 Corinthians 13:5: "Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you actually fail the test?" Here, scrutiny is applied to one's faith and relationship with Christ, urging believers to ensure their lives reflect genuine faith.

3. Noble Bereans:
Acts 17:11 commends the Bereans for their diligence in scrutinizing the Scriptures: "Now the Bereans were more noble-minded than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if these teachings were true." This passage underscores the importance of verifying teachings against the Word of God.

4. Discernment and Wisdom:
Proverbs 2:3-5 speaks to the pursuit of wisdom and understanding: "if you indeed call out for insight and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God." Scrutinizing involves a deep search for wisdom and truth, rooted in a reverence for God.

5. Judging Righteously:
Jesus instructs in John 7:24, "Stop judging by outward appearances, and start judging justly." This call to righteous judgment involves scrutinizing situations and individuals with fairness and truth, rather than superficial assessments.

Theological Implications:
Scrutinizing is a vital practice for believers, ensuring that their lives, beliefs, and actions are in accordance with God's Word. It requires a heart of humility, a desire for truth, and a commitment to living a life pleasing to God. Through the Holy Spirit, believers are equipped to discern truth from falsehood and to grow in spiritual maturity.

Practical Application:
In practical terms, scrutinizing involves regular engagement with Scripture, prayerful reflection, and seeking godly counsel. It calls for a proactive approach to faith, where believers are not passive recipients but active participants in their spiritual growth. By scrutinizing their lives and the teachings they encounter, Christians can guard against deception and remain steadfast in their faith.1. (v. t.) To examine closely; to inspect or observe with critical attention; to regard narrowly; as, to scrutinize the measures of administration; to scrutinize the conduct or motives of individuals.

2. (v. i.) To make scrutiny.

350. anakrino -- to examine, investigate
... From ana and krino; properly, to scrutinize, ie (by implication) investigate,
interrogate, determine -- ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/350.htm - 8k

3985. peirazo -- to make proof of, to attempt, test, tempt
... tempt, examine, try. From peira; to test (objectively), ie Endeavor, scrutinize,
entice, discipline -- assay, examine, go about, prove, tempt(-er), try. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3985.htm - 9k

7663. sabar -- to inspect, examine
... Erroneously shabar (Nehemiah 2:13, Nehemiah 2:15) {shaw-bar'}; a primitive root;
to scrutinize; by implication (of watching) to expect (with hope and patience ...
/hebrew/7663.htm - 5k

2219. zarah -- to scatter, fan, winnow
... Definition to scatter, fan, winnow NASB Word Usage disperse (5), dispersed (1),
disperses (1), north (1), scatter (13), scattered (7), scrutinize (1), spread (4 ...
/hebrew/2219.htm - 6k

5234. nakar -- to regard, recognize
... A primitive root; properly, to scrutinize, ie Look intently at; hence (with recognition
implied), to acknowledge, be acquainted with, care for, respect, revere ...
/hebrew/5234.htm - 6k

The Eighteenth Chapter: Man Should not Scrutinize this Sacrament ...
... AN INVITATION TO HOLY COMMUNION The Eighteenth Chapter: Man Should Not Scrutinize
This Sacrament in Curiosity, But Humbly Imitate Christ and Submit Reason to ...
/.../kempis/the imitation of christ/the eighteenth chapter man should.htm

That the Fast of Lent is not Sufficient to Make us Competent to ...
... What if He were to scrutinize our listlessness and negligence in our prayers; and
how, whilst standing before God and supplicating Him, we do not exhibit even ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/chrysostom/on the priesthood/homily xx that the fast.htm

The Old Testament and Comparative Religion
... other religion: "You say your sacred books are divine, prove it; lay your books
open before the jury of the world, let the critics scrutinize them, analyze them ...
/.../eiselen/the christian view of the old testament/chapter v the old testament.htm

In Reference to Daniel My Answer Will be that I did not Say that ...
... I beg you, my most sweet friend, who are so curious that you even know my dreams,
and that you scrutinize for purposes of accusations all that I have written ...
/.../33 in reference to daniel.htm

How to Use this Book
... Ruskin earnestly counsels us to form the habit of looking intensely at words. We
should scrutinize them closely and endeavor to grasp their innermost meaning. ...
/.../kleiser/fifteen thousand useful phrases/how to use this book.htm

Quirinius the Governor of Syria
... a special mission in Syria. Let us now scrutinize closely the evidence
bearing on the career of Quirinius. We shall find that, as ...
/.../ramsay/was christ born in bethlehem/chapter 11 quirinius the governor.htm

The Puritan Beginnings of the Church in virginia ---Its Decline ...
... We may feel constrained to accept only at a large discount the pious official
professions of King James 1. and critically to scrutinize many of the statements ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter v the puritan beginnings.htm

Fragment from the Discourse.
... fills all vacuity? But if, indeed, we are able to scrutinize spiritual substance,
its excellence truly would be undone. Let us consider ...
/.../fragment from the discourse.htm

The 139Th Psalm of David.
... And all the thoughts that stir my heart, That lurk in its most secret part, Thy
searching eye doth scrutinize Ere they to consciousness arise. ...
/.../gerhardt/paul gerhardts spiritual songs/the 139th psalm of david.htm

2 Cor. xii. 11
... Do not then,' he says, scrutinize this that I am nothing, but consider that, that
wherein ye ought to have been benefitted, I have failed in nothing, but have ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily xxvii 2 cor xii.htm

Scrutinize (3 Occurrences)
... 1. (vt) To examine closely; to inspect or observe with critical attention; to regard
narrowly; as, to scrutinize the measures of administration; to scrutinize...
/s/scrutinize.htm - 7k

Scrutiny (3 Occurrences)
... 4. (n.) An examination by a committee of the votes given at an election, for
the purpose of correcting the poll. 5. (vt) To scrutinize. ...
/s/scrutiny.htm - 7k

Examination (10 Occurrences)
... anakrino, "scrutinize," "investigate," "interrogate" (in court), "judge," "search"
(Luke 23:14 Acts 4:9; Acts 12:19; Acts 28:18 1 Corinthians 9:3); and anetazo ...
/e/examination.htm - 11k

Examine (48 Occurrences)
... anakrino, "scrutinize," "investigate," "interrogate" (in court), "judge," "search"
(Luke 23:14 Acts 4:9; Acts 12:19; Acts 28:18 1 Corinthians 9:3); and anetazo ...
/e/examine.htm - 23k

Undergoing (13 Occurrences)
... 1 Corinthians 4:3 I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny,
or that of other men; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself. (WEY). ...
/u/undergoing.htm - 10k

Judging (141 Occurrences)
... in the New Testament, ethically, for (1) "to decide," "give a verdict," "declare
an opinion" (Greek krino); (2) "to investigate," "scrutinize" (Greek anakrino ...
/j/judging.htm - 39k

Inspect (22 Occurrences)
... in order to ascertain quality or condition, to detect errors, etc., to examine;
to scrutinize; to investigate; as, to inspect conduct. ...
/i/inspect.htm - 13k

Reference (23 Occurrences)
... Galatians 6:4 But let every man scrutinize his own conduct, and then he will find
out, not with reference to another but with reference to himself, what he has ...
/r/reference.htm - 14k

Probe (6 Occurrences)
... or ulcer, with a probe. 2. (vt) Fig.: to search to the bottom; to scrutinize
or examine thoroughly. 3. (n.) An instrument for examining ...
/p/probe.htm - 8k

Concerned (45 Occurrences)
... (WEY). 1 Corinthians 4:3 I however am very little concerned at undergoing your scrutiny,
or that of other men; in fact I do not even scrutinize myself. (WEY). ...
/c/concerned.htm - 19k

What does it mean to test God? | GotQuestions.org

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Scrutinize: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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