The Image You Allow

For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.

—James 1:23-24

 

Looking into the Word of God is like gazing into a spiritual mirror. Just as a physical mirror helps you understand your appearance, you cannot see your face directly. No one can view their own face through their own eyes. Instead, you perceive a reflection of your face, meaning you can never gaze upon it directly. You observe the reflection in the mirror and respond accordingly to what you see.

Similarly, you can’t see your spiritual self, but you can look into the mirror of God’s Word to understand who you are in Christ. God’s Word is spiritual and reveals your spiritual identity (John 6:63). You need to be just as confident in your spiritual image as you are in your physical appearance. After all, you cannot see either directly; instead, you look at something else and accept what you see by faith.

Can you examine your reflection in the mirror of God’s Word and hold the same confidence in your spiritual image as your physical appearance?

Your physical image exposes flaws and problems in your body, showcasing the effects of challenges and illness and leading you to believe that improvement or healing is unattainable. However, as shown in the mirror of His Word, your spiritual image affirms that nothing is impossible with God, that you are an overcomer in Christ, that God sent His Word to heal you, and that by His wounds, you are healed. Unless you align with God’s view of yourself, the physical image you have of yourself will shape your existence. Faith won’t be triggered, and you will not take actions that reflect and complete your faith.

A man who doesn’t act on what he has heard in God’s Word (James 1:22) is like someone who looks in the mirror but takes no action. The Word has sparked faith in his heart, yet he continues on his way and forgets what he has seen. Similarly, you must keep in view the image that God’s Word presents of your spiritual self and act accordingly.

 

Has God stirred faith in your heart? How do you respond? Don’t compromise it by doubt or by justifying what your physical eyes can’t see. Don’t give up. He is the Word. He is the Truth. Don’t let go of Him. The words you speak about yourself bring forth either evil or good fruit in your life (Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 12:35). Truth is truth whether you are physically experiencing it or not. Speak His truth. Speak His life.

The image you allow to define your life will be your outcome. 

As a man thinks in his heart, he is (Proverbs 23:7).

 

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