Look in the Mirror

1. The Word of God as a Mirror

James 1:22–25 NIV

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

GOD’S WORD Translation Do what God’s word says. Don’t merely listen to it, or you will fool yourselves. 23 If someone listens to God’s word but doesn’t do what it says, he is like a person who looks at his face in a mirror, 24 studies his features, goes away, and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 However, the person who continues to study God’s perfect laws that make people free and who remains committed to them will be blessed. People like that don’t merely listen and forget; they actually do what God’s laws say. 

Introduction

Every morning, most of us look into a mirror. We check our appearance, making sure everything is in order. But what if we looked and saw something out of place—would we walk away and do nothing? James tells us that God’s Word is like a mirror, revealing our spiritual condition. The real question is: What do we do with what we see?

In spiritual terms, a mirror represents self-reflection, truth, and the revelation of one’s inner state. Just as a physical mirror reveals the outward appearance, a spiritual mirror reveals the soul, the heart, and one's relationship with God. It calls us to examine ourselves sincerely—not how we appear before others, but who we are before the Lord.

Tell the story of how you would miss spots when shaving my head and Tan would come in and tell me i missed a spot.

1. Self-Examination

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV) “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Reflection: Here the mirror becomes a call to examine ourselves—to test the condition of our faith. True examination goes beyond surface religion and seeks the indwelling presence of Christ. Without this inner reality, all outward forms are empty.

James 1:25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

James contrasts the forgetful hearer with the one who "looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it." This person experiences transformation because they:

Look intently – This means careful, deep reflection, not a quick glance.

Example of Looking intently Ac 17:10–12.When Paul and Silas arrived in the city of Berea, they entered the synagogue. 11 The people of Berea were more open-minded than the people of Thessalonica. They were very willing to receive God’s message, and every day they carefully examined the Scriptures to see if what Paul said was true.

Psalm 139:23–24 (KJV)

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Meaning: True self-examination includes inviting God to reveal hidden sin and guide us.

Talk about the use of the mirror in barbering

Barbers use mirrors to constantly check their work from multiple angles to ensure even cuts, clean lines, and symmetrical styles—especially for fades, line-ups, and beard trims.

2. Reflection of God’s Glory

2 Corinthians 3:18 (KJV) “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.”

Reflection: Believers are mirrors of God's glory. As we look upon Him with unveiled faces, the Spirit transforms us to reflect His likeness. This is not merely imitation, but divine transformation—from one degree of glory to another—by the Spirit of the Lord.

Matthew 5:16 (KJV)

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

In the life of faith, the mirror serves not only to reveal but to provoke response. It unveils both our current identity and our divine destiny. Through the Word of God and the Spirit of God, we are both exposed and shaped—called to reflect Christ and be transformed into His image.

Paul and Silas in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–9)

Verses 1–3: Paul and Silas arrive in Thessalonica and go to the synagogue, as was Paul’s custom. For three Sabbaths, Paul reasons from the Scriptures that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead, and that Jesus is this Messiah.

Verses 4–5: Some Jews, many God-fearing Greeks, and leading women are persuaded and join them. But other Jews become jealous and stir up a mob, creating an uproar in the city.

Verses 6–9: The mob attacks the house of Jason (who had hosted Paul and Silas), accusing them of turning the world upside down and defying Caesar by claiming Jesus is king. Jason is forced to post bond and is released.

2. Paul and Silas in Berea (Acts 17:10–15)

Verses 10–12: Paul and Silas are sent to Berea by night. The Bereans are described as more noble-minded than the Thessalonians because they receive the word with eagerness and examine the Scriptures daily to verify Paul’s message. Many believe, including prominent Greek men and women.

Verses 13–15: Troublemakers from Thessalonica come to Berea and stir up the crowds. Paul is sent to the coast while Silas and Timothy stay behind. Paul travels on to Athens.