In II Corinthians 13:5 we are told to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith. In Lamentations 3:40 we are told to examine our ways and test them, and to return to doing things the Lord’s way. In I Corinthians 11:28 we are to examine ourselves before we partake of communion, to see if we are right with God. In Hebrews 12:15 we are to see to it that no one among us falls short of the grace that God has given us. Galatians 6:4 tells each of us to test his own actions. The writer of Psalm 139:23-24 implores the Lord to search his heart and find out if there is any wicked way in him that needs to be addressed and repented of. These and many other passages of scripture urge us towards self-examination and self-judgement. The Bible provides a few measuring sticks by which we can estimate our growth and progress in spiritual things. The fruit of the Spirit in Galatians chapter five is one of those measuring sticks. Using these nine aspects of the fruit of the Spirit, we can get an accurate estimate of our spiritual growth and see if we are at least heading in the right direction and maturing in God.