Resources/Articles
Reflection
For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer,
he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror:
for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away,
and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
James 1:23,24
Whenever we look at ourselves in the mirror, it is usually for three reasons. First, we are concerned about the way we look. Second, we want to make sure everything is still in place. Third, if something does need changing or adjusting, we make the corrections to keep from being embarrassed.
The reflection of our spiritual condition is determined by looking in God’s mirror. His word does not give a false impression or distorted image. It is a reflection of what God wants us to look like, what we look like, and what changes are necessary to save ourselves from embarrassment, guilt, or condemnation.
It is a lot easier to reflect upon the deeds of others rather than investigating what we look like. Matthew 7:1-3 issues a warming about such views, because those things we see in others are made to be worse than what we are doing. Galatians 6:1,2 encourages us to be “spiritual” rather than judgmental and help those who are weak knowing the same can happen to us. Rather than looking at others to find their faults, we should reflect upon what we ought to be. Paul said, “For we are not bold to number or compare ourselves with certain of them that commend themselves: but they themselves, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves with themselves, are without understanding” (2 Corinthians 10:12).
2 Corinthians 13:5 states it like this: “Try yourselves whether ye are in the faith, prove your own selves.” The faith the proves us is revealed in God’s word - His mirror. That is the standard of our examination, not the world, style, culture, or friends. What scares us is what we see when we look. That is why few want to look at it. It is the only way for us to be justified in the sight of God (Romans 5:1). Look at your reflection in the holy word. If you are interested in how you appear before God, you will make the changes necessary. If you are a Christian, keep looking in the mirror to make sure everything is in the place it should be.
