Is Introspection Profitable?

In his book, "Spiritual Knowledge", Watchman Nee has a chapter on the importance of "self-knowledge" in spiritual maturing. But he warns that introspection is NOT the way to self-knowledge:

"Not only does the Bible not contain any command for introspection, but in addition our experience tells us how impossible introspection is. As far as spiritual life is concerned, introspection is very harmful. It may produce either one of two consequences: ...self-contentment (pride) because of reckoning oneself as being quite good after self-examination; (or) despair because of finding himself full of flaws...

"'Looking unto Jesus' (Heb. 12:2)...should read 'Looking away to Jesus' (Nestle's Interlinear Greek-English NT). The idea is that before you can look to Jesus you must first look away from what you should not look at. Our spiritual life is based on looking to Jesus, not on looking into ourselves...Whenever we turn to look at ourselves we are immobilized and cannot advance; but if we look at the light of God, we shall unconsciously move ahead."

Corrie ten Boom had a wonderful little saying:
"Look around and be distressed;
look within and be depressed;
look to Jesus and be at rest."

Holy Spirit, as we draw nearer the end of the age and the accuser of the brethren increases his lies and accusations of the saints of God, we ask that you would empower our hearts to fight to look away from ourselves to the One who is altogether lovely and who only has the ability to tell us who we truly are and where we need affirmation and/or correction. Only You know us and only You have the love and power to transform us as we behold/gaze on You. By Your grace we will turn away from self-worship to look to Jesus and worship only Him! Thank You for helping us with this, dear Divine Helper!