“Test Yourselves: Is Christ in You?”

2 Corinthians 13:5 — The Verification Protocol

The Verse

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test?”

— 2 Corinthians 13:5 (BSB)

The Neuro-Gnostic Decoding

This verse provides the verification protocol for the entire framework:

“Examine yourselves… test yourselves” = Don’t assume - verify through direct experience

“Whether you are in the faith” = Whether you are actually anchored in The Listener (not just believing intellectually)

“Jesus Christ is in you” = The Listener (Christ Consciousness) is functioning as your primary identity

“Unless you fail the test” = The test has pass/fail criteria - you either ARE anchored in The Listener, or you’re NOT

This is radical empiricism: Paul is commanding self-examination, not blind belief.

Breaking Down the Verse

“Examine Yourselves”

“Examine” (Greek: peirazete heautous) = Test, scrutinize, put to the proof

NOT: Assume you’re saved because you prayed a prayer or joined a church

BUT: Actively examine whether Christ (The Listener) is actually functioning in you

This is Gnostic empiricism:

  • Not: “I believe, therefore it’s true”
  • But: “Let me test and verify through direct experience”

What to examine:

  1. Your identity: Who are you identifying as? (The Voice or The Listener?)
  2. Your anchor: Where is your consciousness dwelling? (Head/Voice or Heart/Source?)
  3. Your actions: Are they driven by the Voice (fear, rumination) or The Listener (flow, alignment)?

This is self-inquiry (Atma Vichara in Hindu tradition, zazen in Zen):

  • Not: External religious performance
  • But: Direct examination of consciousness itself

“To See Whether You Are in the Faith”

“Whether you are in the faith” (Greek: ei este en tē pistei)

Traditional interpretation: Whether you believe the correct doctrines

Neuro-Gnostic interpretation: Whether you are actually anchored in trust/alignment (faith as experiential state, not intellectual belief)

“In the faith” = In the state of trust, alignment, anchoring

NOT:

  • Believing a list of theological propositions
  • Intellectual assent to doctrines about Jesus

BUT:

  • Anchored in The Listener (trusting your true nature)
  • Aligned with The Source (living from heart-centered knowing)
  • Trusting the Sacred Order (Source → Listener → Daemon)

How to verify “whether you are in the faith”:

  • Can you access the Stillpoint? (The Listener is functioning)
  • Can you witness the Voice without identifying? (Dis-identification is active)
  • Can you sense the Source’s call from the heart? (Alignment is present)
  • Does flow arise in action? (The Daemon is executing aligned commands)

The Results

If YES → You are “in the faith” (anchored in The Listener)

If NO → You are NOT “in the faith” (identified with the Voice, hijacked state)

“Test Yourselves”

“Test” (Greek: dokimazete heautous) = Prove, examine, discern

Paul repeats the command: Not just “examine,” but TEST

This is experiential verification:

  • Not: Passive acceptance of what you’ve been told
  • But: Active testing of your actual state

The test criteria (see below: “The Self-Examination Protocol”):

  1. Identity Test: Who am I identifying as?
  2. Anchor Test: Where is my consciousness dwelling?
  3. Evidence Test: What are the fruits/evidence?
  4. Flow Test: Is aligned action arising?
  5. Stability Test: Am I “rooted and grounded” or tossed around?

This is radical personal responsibility: YOU must test. No priest, no pastor, no external authority can verify for you.

“Do You Not Realize That Jesus Christ Is in You?”

“Jesus Christ is in you” = The Listener (Christ Consciousness, Divine Spark) is present within

Cross-references:

Paul’s incredulity: “Do you NOT realize?!” (This should be obvious!)

The assumption: Christ (The Listener) is already in you (it’s not something you need to acquire)

The problem: You may have forgotten (identification with the Voice obscures Christ)

The solution: Test yourself to verify whether you are aware of Christ in you (The Listener functioning)

“Unless You Fail the Test”

“Unless you fail the test” (Greek: ei mēti adokimoi este)

Traditional interpretation: Unless you’re not a “real Christian”

Neuro-Gnostic interpretation: Unless you are still identified with the Voice (the hijacked state)

What does it mean to “fail the test”?

You fail the test if:

  • You cannot access the Stillpoint (constant rumination, no silence)
  • You cannot witness the Voice (total identification with thoughts)
  • You cannot sense the Source’s call (decisions driven entirely by fear/analysis)
  • Flow never arises (all action is forced effort, misaligned)
  • You are unstable (tossed around by circumstances, anxiety-driven)

This means: Christ (The Listener) is obscured by the Voice (hijacked DMN dominance)

This is the hijacked state: The Demon runs the show, not The Listener

The remedy: Return to the practices (dis-identification, anchoring in the heart, trusting the Source)

The Self-Examination Protocol

Test 1: Identity Test

Question: Who am I identifying as right now?

Pass: “I am The Listener (witnessing awareness, Christ Consciousness). The Voice arises, but I am not the Voice.”

Fail: “I am my thoughts. I am my anxiety. I am my story.”

How to check:

  • Can you observe your thoughts? (If yes, you are The Listener observing)
  • Or are you consumed by thoughts? (If yes, you are identified with the Voice)

Test 2: Anchor Test

Question: Where is my consciousness dwelling right now?

Pass: “I am anchored in the heart (The Source). I can sense the Stillpoint beneath the noise.”

Fail: “I am lost in the head (the Voice). Rumination, mental time travel, constant analysis.”

How to check:

  • Drop awareness into the heart. Can you find silence there? (Pass)
  • Or is the head completely dominant with no access to the heart? (Fail)

Test 3: Evidence Test

Question: What is the evidence of The Listener functioning?

Pass criteria:

  • Stillpoint - I can access silence beneath thoughts
  • Witness - I can observe the Voice without identifying
  • Call - I sense intuitive knowing from the heart
  • Flow - Aligned action arises effortlessly
  • Peace - Stability regardless of circumstances

Fail:

  • No Stillpoint (constant mental noise)
  • No witness (total identification with thoughts)
  • No call (decisions driven entirely by fear/analysis)
  • No flow (forced effort, misalignment)
  • No peace (anxiety, rumination, instability)

How to check: Review the Five Evidential Markers

Test 4: Flow Test

Question: Is aligned action arising from The Listener?

Pass: “Action flows from the Source’s call → The Listener receives → The Daemon executes. Effortless, aligned, clear.”

Fail: “All action is forced. Driven by the Voice’s fear. Analysis paralysis. Misaligned effort.”

How to check:

  • Reflect on recent decisions/actions
  • Did they arise from intuitive knowing (heart/Source)? (Pass)
  • Or from rumination/fear (head/Voice)? (Fail)

Test 5: Stability Test

Question: Am I “rooted and grounded” or tossed around?

Pass: “Challenges arise, but I remain anchored in The Listener. The Voice speaks, but I don’t identify. Stable.”

Fail: “Every circumstance destabilizes me. Anxiety controls me. The Voice tyrannizes. Unstable.”

How to check:

  • When stress arises, do you witness it (anchored)? (Pass)
  • Or does it consume you (identified)? (Fail)

The Results of the Test

If You Pass: Christ IS in You (Functioning)

This means:

  • You are “in the faith” (anchored in The Listener, aligned with The Source)
  • Christ (The Listener) is functioning as your primary identity
  • The Sacred Order is active (Source → Listener → Daemon)
  • You are “rooted and grounded in love” (stable in the flow)

The practice: Maintain the anchoring through daily practices

The risk: Complacency (“I’ve arrived!”) → Forgetting → Return to hijacking

Paul’s warning (1 Corinthians 10:12): “Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.”

The solution: Daily testing (this is not a one-time verification)

If You Fail: Christ Is Obscured (The Voice Dominates)

This means:

  • You are NOT “in the faith” (identified with the Voice, hijacked state)
  • Christ (The Listener) is obscured by the Voice’s noise
  • The Demon (hijacked DMN) runs the show
  • You are “tossed around” (unstable, anxiety-driven)

This is NOT condemnation. This is diagnosis.

The remedy:

  1. Recognize the hijacking: “I am identified with the Voice. The Listener is obscured.”
  2. Return to the practices:
  3. Re-test after practicing

The hijacking has momentum. Failing the test is not failure. It’s awareness that you need to return to the practices.

The Daily Self-Examination Practice

Morning: Pre-Emptive Test (3-5 minutes)

Before entering the day, test your anchor:

  1. Enter the Stillpoint (3 conscious breaths)
  2. Run the 5 tests:
    • Identity: Am I The Listener or the Voice?
    • Anchor: Heart (Source) or head (Voice)?
    • Evidence: Can I access Stillpoint, witness, call, flow, peace?
    • Flow: Is aligned action available?
    • Stability: Am I rooted or tossed?
  3. If passing: “Christ is in me. I am anchored. I proceed from The Listener.”
  4. If failing: “Christ is obscured. I practice anchoring before proceeding.”

Midday: Real-Time Test (1 minute)

During the day, check your anchor:

  1. Pause (stop activity)
  2. Quick test: “Am I The Listener (witnessing) or the Voice (identified)?”
  3. If Listener: Continue, anchored
  4. If Voice: Return to heart (3 breaths), re-anchor

Evening: Retrospective Test (5-10 minutes)

At day’s end, examine the day:

  1. Reflect: When was I “in the faith” (anchored in The Listener)?
  2. Acknowledge: “Christ functioned here. Flow arose here.”
  3. Reflect: When did I “fail the test” (identified with the Voice)?
  4. Compassion: “I forgot. I identified with the Voice. No condemnation—this is data.”
  5. Plan: “Tomorrow, I will anchor more consistently in [specific practice].”

Cross-Tradition Parallels

Gnostic Christianity

The Gospel of Thomas, Saying 3:

“When you come to know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will realize that you are the children of the living Father.”

Translation: Self-examination (know yourselves) reveals Christ (the Divine Spark) in you.

2 Corinthians 13:5 is this: Test yourselves → Realize Christ is in you.

Hinduism (Self-Inquiry)

Ramana Maharshi’s Atma Vichara:

  • Question: “Who am I?”
  • Method: Constant self-examination of identity
  • Result: Recognition of Atman (true Self, identical with Brahman)

2 Corinthians 13:5 is this: Test yourselves → Realize you are Atman (Christ in you).

Buddhism (Mindfulness Testing)

Satipatthana (Foundations of Mindfulness):

  • Constant examination of body, feelings, mind, mental objects
  • Testing reality vs. delusion
  • Verification through direct experience

2 Corinthians 13:5 is this: Test yourselves → Verify Buddha-nature (Christ in you).

Sufism (Muraqaba/Self-Watching)

Sufi practice of Muraqaba:

  • Constant self-examination: “Where is my consciousness right now?”
  • Testing alignment with The Divine
  • Witnessing thoughts/ego without identifying

2 Corinthians 13:5 is this: Test yourselves → Verify union with The Divine (Christ in you).

Common Experiences

“I keep failing the test. Does that mean I’m not saved?”

Response: “Failing the test” is not about eternal salvation. It’s about current state.

The test reveals:

  • Currently anchored in The Listener (Christ functioning) → Pass
  • Currently identified with the Voice (Christ obscured) → Fail

Failing the test means: Return to the practices. Not “you’re damned,” but “you’re hijacked right now.”

The remedy: Practice dis-identification, anchor in the heart, trust the Source.

“Doesn’t constant self-examination make me self-absorbed?”

Response: There are two types of self-examination:

The Voice’s self-examination (hijacked):

  • Rumination: “What’s wrong with me? Why do I keep failing?”
  • Self-judgment: “I’m not good enough. I’ll never get this.”
  • Narcissistic focus: “Me, me, me” (ego-centered)

The Listener’s self-examination (liberated):

  • Witness: “I notice I’m identified with the Voice right now.”
  • Non-judgmental: “This is the current state. What’s needed?”
  • Source-centered: “Am I aligned with The Source or hijacked?”

Paul commands The Listener’s self-examination (testing anchor/alignment), not the Voice’s rumination.

“How often should I test myself?”

Response: Daily minimum. Hourly ideal.

The practice:

  • Morning: Pre-emptive test (before entering the day)
  • Midday (multiple times): Real-time test (Am I The Listener or the Voice?)
  • Evening: Retrospective test (Where was I anchored today?)

This is not exhausting. This is **awareness itself.**

The more you test, the more you **anchor in The Listener (testing becomes automatic).**

The Invocation: Self-Examination

Speak this before testing yourself:

“I examine myself. I test myself.

Not to condemn. Not to judge. But to verify.

Am I in the faith? Am I anchored in The Listener?

Can I access the Stillpoint?

Can I witness the Voice?

Can I sense the Source’s call?

Does flow arise in action?

Am I rooted and grounded, or tossed around?

Jesus Christ is in me—unless I fail the test.

If I pass: I continue, anchored.

If I fail: I return to the practices, without condemnation.

This is the test. This is the verification. This is the practice.”

Key Takeaways

  1. “Examine yourselves… test yourselves” = Active verification through direct experience (not passive belief)
  2. “Whether you are in the faith” = Whether you are actually anchored in The Listener (experiential state, not intellectual doctrine)
  3. “Jesus Christ is in you” = The Listener is already present (the question is whether it’s functioning or obscured)
  4. “Unless you fail the test” = The test has pass/fail criteria based on evidence (Stillpoint, witness, call, flow, stability)
  5. The 5 tests: Identity, Anchor, Evidence, Flow, Stability
  6. Failing the test = Not condemnation, but diagnosis (return to practices)
  7. Daily practice: Morning (pre-emptive), midday (real-time), evening (retrospective) testing

Further Reading

Framework

Practices

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.”

Not once. Not never. Daily.

Christ is in you—unless you fail the test.

Test. Verify. Practice. Anchor.