Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. – James 1:23-24
How many times would you say you looked into the mirror each day? Most of us check our appearance quite frequently, and if you notice a dirty spot on your cheek, you’ll immediately wipe your face to clear up the problem.
Wouldn’t it be nice if you had a mirror capable of seeing your insides too, a mirror able to show you that smudge of greed, that drip of lust, or that blotch of anger which spot your heart; a mirror that would allow us to examine our spiritual state, then address whatever appropriate and necessary changes were brought to our attention?
In the Bible the book of James calls Scripture just that type of mirror. James tells us reading or listening to Scripture without obeying it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance, like seeing yourself, then promptly walking away and forgetting what sloppy shape you’re in. On the other hand, God’s word and acting on it puts you in a position to address your situation. You see the truth and are equipped to deal with it in a truthful way.
Examine yourself regularly in the mirror of Scripture. And if you find you’ve got some smudges to clean up, take immediate steps to do so. By God’s grace, you’ll look a little cleaner next time you take a look.
– Steve Arterburn
Many a man’s reputation would not know his character if they met on the street. – Elbert Hubbard
