A mirror is a very common every day item. While it has many uses, it is commonly used for personal grooming.
When you look into a mirror, you see a reflection of yourself — you see yourself as you really are with all its blemishes and imperfections.
I know for me, I am affected by what I see in the mirror. Aren’t you?
Imperfections are brought to light (especially in the morning 🙂 ) and I think of what I can do to fix them. The more I look into the mirror, the more I try to make myself look different… better… As a woman, I use make up, change hairstyles, etc. so that I can be presentable before people.
But once I step away from the mirror, my mind is on other things… Why? Because I don’t have the mirror in my face reminding me of what I look like.
“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer; he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.” James 1:23-24
How to Use a Mirror for Your Soul
God’s word is the same as a mirror. It is what I call the “mirror of our souls.” 
When we hear the Word in a message or read it , we cannot help but discover the imperfections in our own character.
It shows us our shortcomings and we can’t help but be affected by our own sin.
We are convicted and sorry… we purpose in our hearts to change, repent… yet when the preaching is over or we lay our Bible down, the mirror is removed, and we are not being reminded of what we look like.
We soon forget what “manner of people” we are.
Key Takeaway
Here the emphasis is, don’t be so quick or hasty when you look into the “mirror of our souls.” Give it all your attention, to be alert to the Word of God.
Don’t treat it casually. Don’t go over it hurriedly. When you read the word… read it word for word.
Allow it to show you those things that are not pleasing to the Lord and let the love of God and His mercy wash you and “make you over”. The more we look into THIS mirror the more we will able to see the real image we want to reflect… JESUS!
But Patty, sometimes looking at the mirror is so painful, are you saying that I should look at it anyways? 🙂
There have been a number of times where God has asked me to look into the mirror and He put his finger on some issues in my character that I really didn’t like. It was painful but necessary. Thank you for this reminder Patty 🙂 I need to ask God to examine my heart
Yes Peter, as painful as it is… we must look… but then not only that, we need to respond to what we see. I mean what good is it if I look in the mirror, see an ugly smudge on my face and turn around and leave it there? Will it improve my appearance? NO! but if I take action and clean it off, then the mirror has actually been a help to me… same principle with the Word, if you look away when the Lord is showing you say your selfishness and you turn away and ignore what you see, then it means nothing. Thanks for your comment dear!
Good point, thanks Patty 🙂
Looking into the mirror reminds us we are not perfect & should keep us Humble. It also tells us why we need a Savior, & Hopefully keeps us close to God! Seeking his guidance is the only hope we have of running this race well & finishing Strong! It may be painful, but not as painful of no relationship with our Father God. Keep reminding us my Sister….XOXOX, Kelly