Vintage ornate oval picture frame
Lessons from a fairy tale. The evil queen in the Snow White classic, enraptured by her own beauty, seeks daily confirmation from her magic mirror. She trusts this authoritative and unbiased source. Each day as she sees her reflection in the glass, she inquires, “Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all?” With regularity, the voice of truth confirms that she is indeed the most beautiful in the land.
The time comes, however, when a young maiden usurps her place. The anthropomorphic mirror speaks without sentimental prejudice, declaring the new ranking. And then the voice reveals the whereabouts of this new rival—information she needs to weave a sinister plot to depose her.
We too have a trusted mirror, though magic would not be the best way to describe it. God’s Word functions like an authoritative mirror, revealing the truth about us, whether pretty or not. We see the One we aspire to be like—Jesus, and how we measure up. It exposes our flaws, shows us where we fall short, and then goes deeper to judge our thoughts, attitudes and motives. This unbiased assessment keeps us from being deceived.
Beyond the bad news, it’s also the place we find grace—the channel through which we can change.
We rely on this mirror because it has power beyond the written page. Paul told the Thessalonians, “When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe” (2:13).
James tells us we won’t be deceived if we keep looking intently into this mirror, without forgetting what we learn, and putting it into practice (1:25). That’s one of the obvious benefits of memorizing passages and books of the Bible. We hear truth from One who sees us as beautiful, but is committed to further transformation.
Mirror, Mirror, in the book
Speak the truth as we look
Bring about what needs correction
So all can see the Son’s reflection
Never really thought about the Bible as a mirror before–thank you!
Hi Susan, James tells us, “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. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” 1:23-25
Really cool take. I never would have thought of that analogy and it’s a great one. You’re so creative!
Excellent points you bring up Janet. I really like you mentioning James 1 since that was the first book I memorized. Thank you for sharing with us God’s truths through your blog. I plan on sharing this with my mom before her surgery next month.
Janet,
Thanks for your creative insight. It gives me courage and hope in the transformation process – we see that we fall short, he sees us as beautiful and enables us to choose to be more Christlike.
God is revealing to me some bitterness and harbored unforgiveness. I want to run and hide from this image in the mirror! I don’t understand the depths of it yet, but I’m trusting in the mirror of God’s Word and the power of His Spirit to replace bitterness with forgiveness.
Hi Amy, I so relate to your comment. God’s Word shows me my sin and I hate seeing it. But I’m so thankful he doesn’t leave me there. He has promised that the good work he began in us, He will bring to completion. Philippians 1:6. Grace upon grace!
Hi Janet! Love this…There is actually a Bible called the Mirror Bible, I have it on my Kindle…http://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Bible-selection-Testament-paraphrased-ebook/dp/B008H4WNDI
Love In Him, Vickie
Janet,
Thank you great encouragement, and reminder to keep our focus where it should be.I was encouraged and blessed.
Hi Janet,
The mirror illustration is such “divine confirmation” for remembering the word of God. For when we just read the word of God and do not remember it, this is similar to looking in a mirror. Remember the word, Mike
True and good article and comments. As a mirror shows us what we look like, the Word shows us what we live like.