Have you ever looked in the mirror and not liked what you saw? A close look at your reflection might make you realize a need to fix a loose strand of hair, or clean your teeth, or you might wonder why someone didn’t tell you about that huge rip in your shirt! These are things that couldn’t have been seen until you looked in the mirror. And then there is an even closer examination – with a magnifying mirror. It could get a little scary when zooming in on certain areas. You might see things you didn’t know were there!
It’s true; we can’t see what others see until we look in that mirror! The mirror is pretty important to our daily routine. Generally, we start and end our day by looking in the mirror. Surveys have found that women look in the mirror at least 8 times a day and men look even more – around 12 times a day. Pretty amazing, huh? But we are consistently mindful of our appearance and want to make sure we look acceptable – not to ourselves so much as to others. The mirror reveals what others are seeing when they look at us. Imagine if we looked into the Word of God and examined ourselves spiritually as much as we do physically!
Examination By the Word and the Spirit
Did you know that God’s word is compared to a mirror? This particular mirror is more important than the mirror that reflects your physical self. Constant examination of the soul is so important, especially if someone claims to be a Christian, a servant of God Almighty!
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
This scripture shows how deep the Word of God penetrates into hearts and lives. However, a person must be willing to take a look into the Word and see what is reflected back at them. It’s going to take more than a quick peek in the mirror so that nothing is missed. Take a long look and turn at different angles to really see what is reflected. It’s the same with the soul – take time to quiet your mind. During prayer and meditation, take time to review your conduct and see if God’s Spirit pinpoints any issues.
What Do You See?
Whatever you’ve been doing physically is often reflected in the mirror. Sometimes you might have impressions of a pillow left on your face. Everyone knows you’ve been sleeping, but you can’t see the impression until you look in the mirror. Maybe you have a spot of chocolate on your chin – well, let’s be honest, you know you’ve been eating chocolate without looking in the mirror!
Just like the pillow or the chocolate, actions and thoughts leave an impression or marks on the soul. An honest self-examination using the Word of God is required for us to see ourselves as God sees us and to reveal the true state of our soul. Honesty is essential when viewing the condition of the soul. If Heaven is the goal, then knowing the true state of the soul is pivotal – whether it’s good or bad news!
2 Corinthians 13:5 “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?”
What do you see when you examine your inner self – the very heart of your being – with the Word of God? Is there anything that doesn’t line up with the Word? Are you doing things that aren’t pleasing to the Lord? Ask the Lord to show you what He sees. Pray and be willing to hear what God says. There are many conditions that might be found during the initial examination –
- Unhappiness
- Depression
- Drug/Alcohol use
- Jealousy
- Hatred
- Greed
- Anger
- Bitterness
- Selfishness
- Lust
- Adultery
The Results – Taking Action
Self-examination may not always reveal a pretty picture. The effect of sin leaves marks or scars on the mind and soul. But what should be done about these conditions? It is certain that these types of attributes have no place in the heart of a servant of God and won’t be found in the Kingdom of God. If nothing is done about such conditions, it would be like seeing an ink stain on your face in the mirror and not doing anything about it!
God is faithful to reveal the soul’s condition. You may ask, “How does the Lord show us what needs to be fixed?” He uses His Spirit and His Word to talk to hearts. If sin is present in our heart, God loves us enough to point it out to us and tell us how to “fix” whatever doesn’t line up with His holy way.
1 Corinthians 2:9 - 10 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.”
You will need to pray to God and repent (ask forgiveness) for doing things that are against the commands God gives in His Word. True repentance requires Godly sorrow, which means that your sorrow is so deep that it causes you to repent and NEVER do those things again. There is also a second work of grace called sanctification that is necessary in order to maintain a holy (sin-free) life. Contact us if you would like to learn more about the work of sanctification.
Continual Self-Examination
Serving the Lord doesn’t eliminate self-examination. Yes, children of God consistently examine their lives (all manner of conduct) to be sure that they are representing the Lord as He would see fit.
1 Peter 1:15 - 16 “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”
Ephesians 5:15 - 16 “See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.”
Walking circumspectly means to walk with carefulness, watching on all sides, cautious and prudent. The days in which we live are certainly evil and can gradually have an effect on the soul. Careful examination with prayer will enable you to view sin as God sees it – something that would send your soul to hell. Continual self-examination is vital. No doubt, even in areas that do not regard sin, there will be room for improvement, because every Christian has a desire to be a better witness for God.
Conclusion
James 1:23 - 25 “For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
God expects holy living from His children. Let God’s Word be effective in your life. The wise person is a doer of the Word and is blessed. The Lord wants every soul to make it to Heaven and to live a beautiful and happy life here on Earth while helping others make it to Heaven along the way.
Take the necessary action to be exactly what God wants His children to be. Don’t put it off – be a doer of the Word!