Read James 1:23–27
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. James 1:23–24

When we look into the mirror of God’s Word, we see ourselves as we really are. James mentions several mistakes that we make as we look into God’s mirror. First, we don’t carefully study ourselves as we read the Word. We might read a chapter of the Bible each day, but it is only a religious exercise, and we fail to profit from it personally. The second mistake is that we forget what we see. If we were looking deeply enough into our hearts, what we would see would be unforgettable. Mistake number three is: We fail to obey what the Word tells us to do. We think that hearing is the same as doing. It’s not.

If we are to use God’s mirror profitably, then we must gaze into it carefully and with serious intent. No quick glances will do. We must examine our own hearts and lives in the light of God’s Word. This requires time, attention, and sincere devotion. Five minutes with God each day will never constitute a deep spiritual examination.

Something to Ponder
Carefully study yourself today in light of God’s Word. What do you see?