Mirror, Mirror on my Soul

Introduction

New theme for May is “How to Study the Bible” - which is essential for our 2024 theme of “Spiritually Mature in Truth”

Today we’re studying how to be a doer and not just a hearer of the word

To do that we will look to James who provides an comparison of reading the Bible and looking into a mirror.

2 Contrasting Reactions to the Reflection

PASSIVE LISTENER

James 1:23–24 ESV

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

This person is a hearer only

The Greek word used here is used to derive “auditor”

Students who audit a class enroll in a course for no credit but typically must still pay for the class. While auditing a course, you will have access to all class materials but will likely not need to complete homework or take any exams.

No homework, no intention of doing any of the work, no follow-up, you don’t do the assignment, no plan to study for the exam,

These students are just in class to listen.

Such are some in the Church - And this person wonders why God has made not difference in their life.

Psalm 10:4 ESV

In the pride of his face the wicked does not seek him; all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

This is self-deception

1 Corinthians 3:18 ESV

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

Do you know you’re deceiving yourself?- no. And that’s the whole point. Satan does not come out to say “OK, get ready, cause I am about to deceive you!

(Gen 3: Even and the Serpent)

The passive listen begins to build up resistance to the word and becomes so conditioned by this that he/she rationalize away the word

1 Timothy 4:1–2 ESV

Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,

Husband at the concert analogy - This is how some listen at Church

Wait a minute, isn’t this where truth is, isn’t this where the Bible is read, I’ve been coming to church for umpteen years and read the Bible through twice. Excellent

Have you done the homework, or are you just an auditor with you attend.

James 1:23–24 ESV

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

ACTIVE LISTENER

James 1:25 ESV

But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

The active listener is cleansed

James 1:21 ESV

Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

The filthiness here is like cleaning one’s ear

The active listener is willing to do all things God asked of him, even at great personal cost.

If there’s sin in our lives that we like, we shut out what God is saying as He is speaking through his Word,

We are not listening even though we are physically here.

The purpose of looking into the perfect law of liberty is not to do some superficial analysis

We are a people today obsessed with the superficial

Do I look good enough

If there’s something superficial we don’t like we seek to hide it or cover it up. We don’t forget it as it can be a constant reminder

The word of God/perfect law of liberty goes way beyond the superficial

Hebrews 4:12–13 ESV

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Only God know who you truly are

Certain mirrors make you look different - Some Christians and the unconverted gravitate to those mirrors that make them look good. (money, fame, statue, influence)

Self-discovery can be painful - but in the process of self-discovery we can receive reconciliation and Self-perception

Zacchaeus in Lk 19 Chief Tax collector and rich

God’s word has a very distinct, and special ability to reveal to us who we truly

Who you are in the presence of God is who you truly are - nothing more and nothing less.

You can’t truly know yourself until you know God, and you cannot know God until you know His Word