The Mirror of the Soul
(James 1:23-25)

Introduction. The Bible is God’s mirror for the soul. By using this mirror man can discern the character and needs of his soul. It enables him to see himself as God sees him.
     This morning let’s talk a few moments about the sense in which the word of God serves as a mirror for the soul.

I. The Functions of This Mirror.

  1. It reveals the origin of the soul (Genesis 2:7). KJV “living soul”. Hebrew word nephesh - soul 475, life 117, person 29, mind 15, heart 15 (in KJV).
  2. It reveals the value of the soul (Matthew 16:24-26). “what shall a man give in exchange for his soul”. John 15:12-14 “greater love has no man”. God held our souls to be so valuable that He sent Christ to give his life for the sake of man’s soul!
  3. It reveals disfigurements of the soul (Galatians 5:19-21). “works of the flesh”. II Timothy 3:1-5 “Perilous times”. Men don’t see these things as disfigurements yet God’s word tells us that they marr our very souls.
  4. It reveals the destiny of the soul (Matthew 25:31-32, 34, 41 & 46). The soul of man reaps the deeds of the flesh. There is an eternal destiny for the soul. The only question is what will it be?

II. The Proper Use of This Mirror.

  1. Constantly. In Psalm 1:1,2 the Psalmist speaks of the one whose “delight” is in the law of the Lord and he meditates upon it day and night. Listen to a few verses from Ps. 119 - that beautiful Psalm that de-scribes the glory of God’s word (Psalms 119:14-16).
  2. Skillfully. II Timothy 2:15 “rightly dividing the word of truth”. The noble Bereans (Acts 17:10-12).
  3. Obediently (James 1:23,24 ). Told us that there is no profit to the one who is a hearer only. We must be “doers of the word”. The one is blessed who looks - sees - and acts!

Conclusion. May we all use the mirror of God’s word to examine our souls. Let each of us have the courage to look - see (honestly) - and then act upon what we see. That means being obedient to the Lord’s will not ours.