James compared God’s Word to a mirror and anytime we look into the mirror of the Word it can help us see where we need to change and grow. As we meditate on the character of Christ, we can see where we’re not like Him. Today’s reading has two lists: the fruit of the Spirit and the deeds of the flesh. We may think we know which one describes us, but let’s look again.
Today’s Readings:
Isaiah 45 & 46
Psalm 111.1-6
Proverbs 26.10
Galatians 5.1-26
What Do You See in the Mirror of the Word?
Galatians 5.1-26:
The Mirror of the Word, Our Plumb Line
God’s Word is our plumb line. It’s to be our guide for daily living.
James compared it to a mirror (Jas. 1.21-25):
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 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; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does (Jas. 1.22-25).
Where We’re Not Like Christ
So, as we look into that mirror, we see where we’re not like Christ and where we need to grow and change. In today’s reading from Galatians, we find two lists, contrasting godly living with sinful attitudes and actions. Verses 19-21:
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Verses 22-23:
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
We need to ask ourselves which list characterizes our lives. Is it verses 22-23, the fruit of the Spirit? Or verses 19-21?
Look Again
As we read verse 19 … adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery … we might think, “Hey, I’m OK.” But it goes on.
Hatred, murders, drunkenness … “Still OK.” But look again.
Contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, envy …
Notice God put those five things smack dab in the middle of that list! And verse 21 says, “… those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
Of course, we will at times fall short in some of these areas. But if these things characterize our lives, if we practice them as a lifestyle, especially if we can do so without conviction or a desire to change, it may be an indication that we need to evaluate our relationship with God.
Even when those things are not our constant response, when we do recognize them, we should repent, go to God and seek His forgiveness, then seek the forgiveness of anyone against whom we have sinned.
But it shouldn’t stop there.
The Fruit of Genuine Repentance
Repentance is more than feeling sorry for our failures. It’s more than just asking for forgiveness. Genuine repentance is a change of heart and mind that leads to a change in behavior. That’s a process Paul describes in Ephesians 4.22-24. He says:
22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
As we recognize those habits and behaviors that are not like Christ, that are not the fruit of the Holy Spirit, we need to put them off with God’s help. And then we need to put on new habits of thinking, speaking, and acting.
Paul goes on in the following verses to give us some concrete examples:
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another (Eph. 4.25).
If we struggle to always tell the truth, we can’t just grit our teeth and try not to lie. We must be purposeful about speaking the truth even when it’s not convenient.
28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need (Eph. 4.28).
If honesty is an issue, naturally, we must stop stealing. But it goes deeper than that. Notice the thief is not only to stop stealing but to become a worker who is generous. He’s to go from being a taker in life to being a giver.
Closer to Home
The next two examples may hit closer to home.
29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear (Eph. 4.29).
Corrupting talk isn’t just cursing or foul language. It’s speech that tears others down. It’s criticism, yelling, and nagging, as well. Instead, we’re to put on speech that builds others up, is timely, and gives grace to those who hear. That includes our spouses and our children.
It doesn’t mean we never correct or reprove someone. But it must be done in godly ways and with the purpose of helping the other person grow and change and without sinning ourselves in the process.
Next, Paul instructs us to:
31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you (Eph. 4.31-32).
We’re to put off anger and all its nasty little cousins. Instead, we’re to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving to the very person who is tempting us to be angry. In Romans 12, Paul raised the bar even farther:
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
And there are many other examples of the things we’re to put off and their godly replacements, especially in Paul’s epistles.
We need God’s grace and help to change and grow in this way. But when we do, we can enjoy greater peace in our relationship with Him and impact our relationships with others in ways we might never have imagined.
Today’s Other Readings:
Isaiah 45 & 46:
He Will Bring It to Pass
Over and over in these two chapters, God says, “I am the Lord, and there is no other.” And one of the ways He has confirmed that fact is through the fulfillment of prophecy.
There are many prophecies that have already been fulfilled and others that are yet to be fulfilled. But, eventually, each one will come to pass:
… Indeed I have spoken it; I will also bring it to pass. I have purposed it; I will also do it (46.11).
Psalm 111.1-6:
Exalt Him for His Works and His Character
In this beautiful psalm of praise, the psalmist exalts God for both His works, “The works of the Lord are great …” (v. 2) and His character, “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion” (v. 4). How often do you remember to thank and praise the Lord, not just for what He has done in your life, but for Who He is?
Proverbs 26.10:
Fools & Transgressors
The great God who formed everything gives the fool his hire and the transgressor his wages.
God in His mercy extends a certain amount of common grace even to the unrighteous (He gives the fool his hire). He also recognizes the difference between someone who sins in ignorance and someone who sins presumptuously or knowingly and rewards them accordingly (He gives each their wages).
Your Thoughts:
How has God spoken to you today? Did you see a passage in a new light? Perhaps spot an area where you need to grow and change. Did you find a promise to hold on to? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Just scroll down to the bottom of this page and leave a comment.
Coming Up:
In the next few days, we’ll talk about Jesus’ warning in Matthew 7 about those who will hear “I never knew you” on the day of judgment. We’ll also talk about laziness, co-dependency, the prosperity doctrine, true freedom, and more.
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If this post spoke to you, I would love it if you would share it on your favorite social media platform.
And if you don’t already have a copy, you might want to purchase a copy of my eBook, 10 Benefits of Keeping a Spiritual Journal. It’s available on Kindle or in paperback (the paperback has 31 days of blank journaling pages with prompts to help you get started).
Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥
Note about this post:
I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer.
A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”
I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.
Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)
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