Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health

by Donald S. Whitney

Are you spiritually healthy or just spiritually busy?

This book’s 10 probing questions will help you look beyond your spiritual activity to assess the true state of your spiritual health and help you on your journey of spiritual transformation. See how the spiritual disciplines―including prayer, worship, and meditation―can take your spiritual health from fair to excellent.

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Theology, Nonfiction, Christianity, Discipleship, Spirituality

141 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2001

About the author

DON WHITNEY has been Professor of Biblical spirituality and Associate Dean at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY, since 2005. Before that, he held a similar position (the first such position in the six Southern Baptist seminaries) at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City, MO, for 10 years. He is the founder and president of The Center for Biblical Spirituality. Don is a frequent speaker in churches, retreats, and conferences in the U.S. and abroad.

Don grew up in Osceola, AR, where he came to believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. After graduating from Arkansas State, Don planned to finish law school and pursue a career in sportscasting. While at the University of Arkansas School of Law, he sensed God's call to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ. He then enrolled at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, TX, graduating with a Master of Divinity degree in 1979. In 1987, Don completed a Doctor of Ministry degree at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, IL. He earned a PhD in theology at the University of the Free State in Bloemfonteine, South Africa in 2013.

Prior to his ministry as a seminary professor, Don pastored Glenfield Baptist Church in Glen Ellyn, IL (a Chicago suburb), for almost 15 years. Altogether, he's served local churches in pastoral ministry for 24 years.

He is the author of Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, which has a companion Study Guide. He has also written How Can I Be Sure I'm a Christian?, Spiritual Disciplines Within the Church, Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health, Simplify Your Spiritual Life, and Family Worship. His hobby is restoring and using old fountain pens.

Don lives with his wife, Caffy, in their home near Louisville. She teaches classes for seminary wives and is an artist, muralist, and illustrator. The Whitneys are parents of Laurelen.

Don's website is www.BiblicalSpirituality.org. He's on Twitter @DonWhitney and on Facebook.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is helpful for just about anyone in the christian faith whether you are in the peaks or in the valley. I've often said the hardest thing to do in life is walk with God in a world that hates him. (by him I mean the God of Bible not the one people make up for themselves).

The chapters:

1: Do you thirst for God?
2: Are you governed increasingly by God's word?
3: Are you more loving?
4: Are you more sensitive to God's presence?
5: Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual & temporal needs of others?
6: Do you delight in the bride of christ?
7: Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you?
8: Do you still grieve over sin?
9: Are you a quicker forgiver?
10: Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

The author explores the chapters and points out what you should look like as you become a more mature christian. This isn't easy stuff if you are in a valley, but no doubt helpful to realize some things that are essential to coping with the sin that remains in our lives. Though the outlook in our temporal life may seem bleak, the author reminds us to keep our eye on heaven, repent constantly, and pray through scriptures, meditating on the passages that speak to us, these things being staples for maintaining a vibrant walk with God.

[Martin Spence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really useful reminders of what's important..
1. Do you thirst for God?
2. Are you governed increasingly by God's Word?
3. Are you more loving?
4. Are you more sensitive to God's presence?
5. Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others?
6. Do you delight in the Bride of Christ?
7. Are the Spiritual Disciplines increasingly important to you?
8. Do you still grieve over sin?
9. Are you a quick forgiver?
10. Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

[Levi Friesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent entry point for both helpful self-examination and group discussions on Christian health and maturity.

[Doug White · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a great book - it is a quick read - slow down only read one or two chapters a day spend time with questions like
• Do I thirst for God?
• Do I still grieve over sin?
• Am I a quicker forgiver?

Another book that I will place on my shelf for now - but it will not stay there long

[Chloe Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just finished 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health and found it to be a helpful, thought-provoking resource. The main questions were insightful, and the closing sub-questions in each chapter were especially useful for reflection and application. I recommend this as an easy, basic read for any Christian to accomplish what the title promises!

I appreciated the practical advice on Bible reading, praying the Scriptures, and meditating on God’s Word. These practices were woven throughout the book and connected well with other topics, such as love for others, commitment to the church, and the hope of dwelling with God in the new heavens and earth.

While the book offered solid guidance, I found myself wanting more depth in some areas, though I understand this would have gone beyond the book’s scope. Overall, it’s a great starting point for self-examination and growth in spiritual health. I’d recommend it to anyone seeking to deepen their walk with the Lord!

[Austin Maddox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, encouraging, and convicting. God has given Whitney special insight of what it means to be a healthy Christian growing in Christlikeness, and his words are both easy to read but challenging to spiritual pride. Every chapter will provide the Christian some area to grow in. This book will definitely be one I reference time and time again.

[Hannah Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Convicting and encouraging!!

[Ryann Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ouch. Times Ten. But in the best way. I always appreciate Whitney’s challenges and teaching. When I know I need an encouraging kick in the pants, I can go to one of his books and this one was just that and just what I needed this week.

[Chris Milburn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My pastor recommenced this book, and said that he reads it every year as a spiritual check-in. It’s a concise short read with brief overviews of different things that are important to the Christian life, such as being quick to forgive properly, the spiritual disciplines, and why we should desire to be in heaven one day.

[Joshua · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book. Somewhat paradoxically, though the phrase 'not good enough' kept reoccurring mentally, it was a very encouraging read.

[James Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent combination of two writings focusing upon spiritual disciplines that are instrumental in a Christian's pursuit of holiness. The chapters are divided into the various disciplines which makes for convenient reading. These chapters include the disciplines of Bible Intake, Prayer, Worship, Evangelism, Serving, Stewardship, Fasting, Silence and Solitude, Journaling, and Learning. The exhortations provide suggestions for the refinement of those disciplines that a believer is currently practicing as well as the addition of disciplines that may currently be missing in the life of the believer. These exhortations can be of great help in growing our relationship in the Lord. This book would be a great book for individual or group study.

[Nadia Telecky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unintentionally have been reading quite a bit of Whitney these last couple of days.

There were a lot of similarities between this & Praying the Bible. Personally, I would say Praying the Bible is the stronger choice.
No ruffled feathers here. I enjoyed each of the topics addressed in 10 Questions. It’s just not gold star worthy…maybe a copper star though??

[Bruce M. Burkett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a book that challenged me in my spiritual growth this year. Riveting questions to help me access the true status of my walk with the Lord. There was one chapter which I disagreed with in large part, but other than that it was a very helpful read. Definitely recommend!

[William Schrecengost · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A refocus on living a more holy life. I’ll need to reread this every year

[Gia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do not read this book… unless you want to be torn apart by conviction.

[Katie Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing! every christian should read this. convicting in a way that pushes you to be better.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this short 112 page book because it caused me to take a good look at my thoughts and actions - not always a pleasant experience, but necessary for those who want to grow more like Christ.

The author Donald Whitney writes, "In our day, as in theirs [the Puritans], the timeless process of discerning one's spiritual health involves questions and tests. My purpose in writing these pages is to act as a physician of the soul - to ask questions and suggest spiritual tests that can, by the help of the Holy Spirit, enable you to self-diagnose your spiritual health." Questions covered:

1. Do you thirst for God?
2. Are you governed increasingly by God's Word?
3. Are you more loving?
4. Are you more sensitive to God's presence?
5. Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual and temporal needs of others?
6. Do you delight in the bride of Christ?
7. Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you?
8. Do you still grieve over sin?
9. Are you a quicker forgiver?
10. Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

What a great list of questions! The author works through the answers. I'm glad I read it.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Complacency in our faith in God is a failing faith. It takes work to grow in our closeness to God. These questions help one see the importance to having a closer walk with God. To succeed in anything else we know it takes work, but why do we think we doing just fine to warm a spot on a pew and do nothing else. I want to grow in my faith in God and that is why I bought this book. The questions are good questions that challenge one's understanding of our spiritual health. I remember a few years ago Jim Carrey was interviewed on CBS' 60 Minutes. He was asked the question of how he became so successful in show business. He said the key is found in one word... "Desperation." That hit me hard! You know he is right. To succeed at anything requires desperate measures on our part. My thought was in regards to God; do I desperately want to grow closer to God? Whitney asks the right questions and by the time you finish you will understand if you are desperate to know God more each day or if you are moving away from God. I don't think anyone would read this book who doesn't desire to grow spiritually. Great book and really loved the beginning chapter on "Do You Thirst for God?"

[Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I left this book on the shelf for some time as past experience has shown similar books to often be written with a legalistic bent. Ah, how happy I was to see this book, by Mr. Whitney, was of a different sort. It was written with great care, clearity, and above all, Biblical soundness. The questions are relevant (noted below) and the helps offered are Scriptually accurate.

1 Do YOU THIRST FOR GOD?
2 ARE You GOVERNED INCREASINGLY BY GOD'S WORD?
3 ARE YOU MORE LOVING?
4 ARE YOU MORE SENSITIVE TO GOD'S PRESENCE?
5 Do YOU HAVE A GROWING CONCERN FOR THE SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL NEEDS OF OTHERS?
6 Do YOU DELIGHT IN THE BRIDE OF CHRIST?
7 ARE THE SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES INCREASINGLY IMPORTANT TO YOU?
8 Do YOU STILL GRIEVE OVER SIN?
9 ARE YOU A QUICKER FORGIVER?
10 Do YOU YEARN FOR HEAVEN AND TO BE WITH JESUS?

[Mike E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the years I have used the central question from each of the chapters for small group discussions, one-on-one discipleship, etc.



1: Do you thirst for God?
2: Are you governed increasingly by God's word?
3: Are you more loving?
4: Are you more sensitive to God's presence?
5: Do you have a growing concern for the spiritual & temporal needs of others?
6: Do you delight in the bride of christ?
7: Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to you?
8: Do you still grieve over sin?
9: Are you a quicker forgiver?
10: Do you yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

[Joel Rockey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Asking good questions is a great way to diagnose our spiritual health. Donald Whitney asks 10 probing questions that get to the heart of the Christian faith. Short, but excellent read. (Also read September 2011)

[Josh Trice · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this book to be too conservative, reformed and evangelical for me.

While I certainly do not want to throw the baby out with the bath water, there are certainly good PARTS and tidbits within, I found myself disagreeing with or questioning Whitney’s conclusions more than agreeing with him.

For example, in a chapter dedicated to “loving others more” Whitney fails to mention the Jesus Creed (as Scot McKnight calls it) even one time! Christ tells us that the most important “rules” we are to live by is to love God and love others—yet for some reason Whitney fails to mention this even once.

Similarly,( this may be a bit of a controversial take) I found Whitney overemphasizing the Bible, especially in the first half of the book. Most of the opening 5 or 6 chapters can be dumbed down to “read your Bible and do what it says.”

To me, this book came off as dull and Bible-thumping. Whitney quotes Johnathan Edwards more than Jesus and seems to point to the Bible as opposed to the person of Christ as God’s true Word.

I think there’s something to take away from this book, and I’m sure many have been helped by it’s contents. However, I am not one of them. I do not see myself returning to this one.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the surface, 10 Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health seems like it could be a book full of spiritual gut punch after gut punch. In reality, it is one of the more encouraging and thoughtful books on Christian living that I've read in recent memory.

Donald S. Whitney takes the time to reason out ten areas of the spiritual life that are often overlooked entirely, or misprioritized. Areas like contemplating heaven, thirsting for God, growing in forgiveness for others, and enjoying/loving His church.

Everytime I'd read a new chapter in this short book, I'd leave feeling invigorated and encouraged in my walk with the Lord.

One could read this book pessimistically, but I truly believe it essential to revisit these kinds of questions over time. Areas of life can stagnate and become dead marshes, but God promises a full life of abundance in Jesus Christ. Therefore, there is only love and joy as we approach Christ and the kind of life He desires for us.

I very much recommend this book.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a helpful book to think through ten different aspects that mark spiritual growth. Whitney doesn't give a checklist or form to fill out. Instead, you will have to read each chapter and reflect on the condition of your own heart in life. It does provide a good opportunity to take stock of your life. Over time, good habits tend to slide and bad ones creep in. Also over time, if we are growing in knowledge and grace, we are better able to assess where we are than a few years ago. If you take it seriously, you won't enjoy reading this book but it will be helpful to you.

[Valerie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used this book as the study guide for the ladies' Sunday school class I teach. It was convicting and helpful. It was amazing to see how God would prepare me through life experiences prior to reading a chapter, and then show me my weaknesses after I completed a chapter. For example, I struggled with forgiveness after reading chapter 9, "Are You a Quicker Forgiver?" and God brought to mind the truths I had just read. This is no coincidence. God molds us and shapes us and He uses many methods to do so. For me, one method was this book. I highly recommend it.

[Patrick Porras · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief diagnostic test to help you understand you. Each chapter explores a facet of the Christian life that should be, on some level, a non-negotiable for every believer and then offers some practical tips for growing in maturity in each area.

We used this book for a Sunday School class at church with about 10-15 men and women. Each week the chapter helped us to engage in fruitful discussion and helpful soul-examination.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really practical questions that leave no room for staying content with status quo spirituality. I’m giving this 3 stars because while there is some excellent and challenging content that would be helpful for any Christian, I found parts to be repetitive, even in a short book. I also wanted some sort of wrap up at the end—the last chapter ended pretty abruptly. In any case, I would still like to read Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life by the same author.

[Daniel Green · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oftentimes people diagnose their spiritual health by how much they read the bible, how many days out of the week they go to church, how much time they spend praying, etc.

Pharisees practiced many disciplines and yet couldn't have been further from God. Whitney takes the reader through questions that get at the heart and soul of an individual instead of just surface level, legalistic measures of spiritual health.

[Brady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed the author’s books on Praying the Bible and Family Worship, so when I was looking for a resource to help me with an assessment of my spiritual growth, this one was a no brainer. Let me just say that this will challenge and convict you. I plan to adapt this into some type of shorter assessment that I can use on an annual basis to make sure my life is headed in the right direction. All church members should read this one.

[Byron Flores · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una obra profundamente edificante, escrita con la claridad y calidez que siempre caracterizan al autor. Cada capítulo ofrece reflexiones bien fundamentadas y ejemplos bíblicos que invitan a examinar el corazón y fortalecer la vida espiritual. Es un libro que no solo se lee, sino que se medita. Muy bien estructurado, con enseñanzas aplicables y fieles a la Escritura. Una lectura que recomendaré sin dudar. 5 de 5 estrellas.