Looking into the mirror is a common practice for most people. We look into the mirror for many reasons. Mostly, we look into mirrors to get a reflection of ourselves. Before I live home every morning, I look into the mirror to affirm that I am looking my best before I step out there. Sometimes when I look into the mirror I discover a stain on my outfit, bad hairstyle, or just something that is not right about my appearance. The mirror allows me to correct this and fix myself in the way I would like before I step outside. I find looking into a mirror to be very helpful to get me ready to start my day.

In our devotion today, I want us to think of the word of God as a mirror as James mentions in his letter. The word of God is the mirror for the believer to assess if they are in alignment with God’s will and living his or her life for God glory.

 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror.²⁴ You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.²⁵ But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it. – James 1:23-25

Glancing and Forgetting 

I found myself looking more than once in the mirror to ensure that all is well and I am absolutely comfortable and confident in how I look before I step outside.  The last image I will have from the mirror will set the tone for how I feel about my appearance throughout the day. If I felt good and happy with my look that will project through how I carry myself throughout the day and if not it will show up in my actions as well. (Well, this just me :)) It is quite unusual to think that I forgot how I looked when I looked for the first time in the mirror. But here, James compares the act of disobeying God’s word after you have heard is like glancing in a mirror and forgetting what you looked like in the reflection. As believers just as we can look in the mirror and fully recall our reflection so must it be with our obedience to the word of God after we have heard it. The word is the mirror that reflects the image that God will have us be and by looking into this mirror we ought to see this image and carry this image with us in our daily lives.

When I read or hear the word of God that talks about bearing the fruits of the Spirit, I need to be impressed with that image and live it out throughout my life as a believer. Everything that the Spirit of God reveals to you through the word of God ought to become manifest in your actual image.

The Word Sets Free

The word of God liberates us from the false image that we have about ourselves in life. Many people due to life experiences, culture influences and many social issues have developed a low self-image of themselves. The negative things that affect the life of a person can distort the person’s mind about who he or she is. God’s word comes to set us free us free from the false image we perceive of ourselves. When the world condemns you, the word of God reflects that you are saved by the Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. When the world rejects you and you feel that there is no one who loves you, the Word of God reflects you are dearly loved by the Most High God who gave His life to save yours. Beloved by looking into the Word of God as a mirror you will be able to see your true identity as God has made you and called you to be.

Today, I want you to reflect on what image you have about yourself and then look into the word of God and check if these images align, if not. Your true image is what God’s word says that you are. Beloved reject any false image that the world projects on you and accept God’s word to reflect your true identity. Beloved always remember that Jesus Christ loves you dearly because He gave His life to save you.

Stay blessed ❤