James 1:19-25 CSB
My dear brothers and sisters, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, [20] for human anger does not accomplish God's righteousness. [21] Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. [22] But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. [23] Because if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like someone looking at his own face in a mirror. [24] For he looks at himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of person he was. [25] But the one who looks intently into the perfect law of freedom and perseveres in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer who works-this person will be blessed in what he does.
Matthew 5:14-16 CSB
"You are the light of the world. A city situated on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket, but rather on a lampstand, and it gives light for all who are in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
The Next Right Thing
Imagine a movie scene with a man named Tom. The camera pans across his bathroom: toothpaste splattered on the glass, a layer of dust on the counter, and Tom standing right there, staring blankly ahead. His hair looks like he just survived a windstorm, there’s a bright yellow mustard stain drying on his collar, and a piece of stray thread hangs distractingly from his cheek. He takes a long look at his reflection. He doesn’t wince. He doesn’t grab a comb. He doesn’t even reach for a washcloth. Instead, he just blinks, turns off the light, and walks out the door into the world, completely unfazed by the mess he’s carrying.
Most of us watching that scene would lean forward and think, Tom has some major issues. He desperately needs some help. But if we hit pause on Tom’s movie and look at the screens of our own daily lives, how many of us act exactly like him?
In Proverbs 19:18 we find: Without revelation people run wild, but one who follows divine instruction will be happy.
There is a fundamental need in life to learn how to be silent and truly listen. To grow into the people God desires us to be, we must be willing to learn from the mature believers who have gone before us, quietly read and absorb the vibrant beauty of the Word, and allow its truth to shape our daily conduct. This disciplined lifestyle of listening and looking into God’s mirror prepares our hearts so that we do not respond ungodly when things do not go our way.
When we look closely at human anger, what is it really? It is usually either a judgmental attitude that should be left entirely to God, or a flash of jealousy because someone else has something we want, or is taking something away from us. While anger is a natural human feeling, as Christians, we often need to take a deliberate time-out and go straight to the Lord in prayer before we utter a single word. Our response to others should always flow out of genuine love and care. We are called to treat even those who vehemently abuse us with love, offering our reactions as a sacrificial action and living witness to our Lord so that others might see Christ reflected in us and come to the truth. We must never forget that our actions as Christians are constantly being evaluated by those outside of the faith. We need help in this, we cannot be good witnesses on our own power.
God has provided His children with many gifts. One of these is His word in the Holy Bible. In many aspects, it is our mirror, a reflection showing who we are and who God is. The Holy Spirit talks to us through the reading of the word and decisions we have to make, the way we need to go, and how we should treat others in our daily walk. It is so important to spend daily time in prayer and reflection, reading the word of God. It is not enough to read, however, but to apply what we read into our lives, to make it real. Reading the Bible should never be a habit or a chore, but a reflective time with God on how we can serve him and be a better witness in the world. Then there is our time in prayer asking our Loving Father for the power to do His will in our lives. We can not do it on our own.
Then there are other ways to view our reflection in a mirror. When we surround ourselves with those who truly walk the walk and take guidance themselves and offer guidance to others, we are viewing ourselves in the mirror by our walk with them. When we attend a church service, listen to a Spirit-filled pastor’s words, and sing hymns with others in the church, music that reaches into our inner soul, we are looking into a mirror.
We are called to be different in this world responding out of love and not hate when the latter would be a normal response. We are walking witnesses to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, so we are called to be different.
Reflection Questions
- When you look into the “mirror” of God’s Word, do you ever find yourself walking away and instantly forgetting what needs to be changed, just like Tom?
- James tells us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.” Which of these three areas is the biggest challenge for you when your day gets frustrating?
- Jesus calls us the light of the world and a city on a hill. In what specific way can you let your light shine before others this week so they can see your good works and glorify God?
Prayer
Father,
Forgive me for the times I have looked into the mirror of Your Word and walked away without letting it change me. Help me to be a doer of Your Word and not a hearer only. Give me the grace to be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, especially when things do not go my way. Let the Holy Spirit guide my daily walk so that I can respond out of sacrificial love rather than judgment or jealousy. Make me a walking witness for Jesus Christ, standing out as a light in this dark world so that others may see Your goodness through my life and give glory to You. In Jesus’ name.
Amen.
