“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.” James 1:22-24 NIV
Once when I was barely into my teens, I was looking in the mirror trying to tame my ‘cowlick’ and get my hair to submit to my will. During my struggle to mimic the most popular hairstyle of the day; I had what seemed to me to be a profound thought. If it wasn’t for that mirror—I wouldn’t even know what I look like. I could see everyone else’s face, but without a mirror I couldn’t see my own.
James is using this illustration of the mirror to teach an important truth. When we consistently look into the Word of God with a commitment to obey it; we gain knowledge about ourselves. A mirror reflects an accurate image of the person standing in front of it. In the same way, the Word of God reveals an accurate image of the person reading it. A mirror helps us to evaluate how we look on the outside while the Bible helps us to assess how we look on the inside. And that is what James is teaching us about the purpose of God’s Word.
Some mirrors serve a practical function while others are little more than decoration. Some are meant to be looked into while others are only looked at. The Word of God is a wonderful gift that is intended to be used for reflection— not just for decoration. We must also be careful of our motives as we approach the Word. If I stand directly in front of a mirror, I see my own reflection. But if I change the angle, I can use a mirror to focus on someone else. The temptation to use the mirror of the Word to judge the lives of others, while ignoring our own reflection can do great harm not only to us personally, but also to the work of God’s kingdom. Jesus often confronted the Pharisees because they routinely judged others harshly while excusing their own behavior.
We must follow the example of Christ—not the pattern of the Pharisees. If we will take to heart the lessons that James is teaching; we will be empowered to follow Jesus on a higher level than ever before. Do not just listen to the Word of God. Do what it says! Listening without obedience is self-deception. James ends this thought with a powerful formula for blessing and favor.
“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 1:25 NIV
Keep your focus on the Word of God and walk in obedience to what is revealed. The image that you see reflected in the mirror of the Word will change as God transforms your life from the inside out and you are conformed to the image of his Son!
