In Psalms, chapter one hundred and thirty-nine, verses twenty-three through twenty-four, the beginning of this theme is an appropriate prayer for every believer. All believers must hate unrighteousness in the world, as in verses nineteen to twenty-two, but we must also be aware of things within us that we may not grieve God. We should be willing to ask God to put us through any test that would further His work of sanctification in us. If anything offensive is present in our hearts, we must turn from it in repentance.
There is a song or famous hymn with this title that relates to the scripture for this theme.
Search me, O God, and know my heart today;
Try me, O Savior, know my thoughts, I pray.
See if there be some wicked way in me;
Cleanse me from ev’ry sin and set me free.
I praise thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfill thy Word, and make me pure within.
Fill me with fire where once I burned with shame;
Grant my desire to magnify thy name.
Lord, take my life and make it wholly thine;
Fill my poor heart with thy great love divine.
Take all my will, my passion, self, and pride;
I now surrender; Lord, in me abide.
Asking God to examine us is to see if there is something within that is holding us back from knowing Him better. No one likes to dwell in a house that is untidy or dirty. The same is true with the Lord. That explains why some believers tend to hear God and receive more from Him in others in various ways—for example, some followers through dreams, visions, prophecies, and His Word.