Man in the Mirror

“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 12:23-24)

The Word of God is a mirror. 

When you look into it, who do you see in action? The old man? Or the new man? Which man does the evidence of your life reveal?

Who are these two characters—the old man and the new man?

The Apostle Paul writes:

“Put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4:22-24)

The old man is the flesh, or the sinful nature we had before being born again by the Spirit of God. The old man loved his sin. He didn't think he was a sinner. He would say "don't judge me! I'm a good person."

The new man is the born again person. Regenerated by the saving grace and power of Jesus Christ. When we are saved God promises to put a new heart and a new spirit in us. The new man desires to worship God and do His will.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

My friend Craig and I have been discussing the topic of how do you know that you're born again? Have I really changed? 

Paul makes a clear distinction between the old man and new man.

—The old man grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts.

—The new man was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.

Paul writes in his letter to the Galatians about the differences between the works of the flesh, as opposed to the fruit of the Spirit:

“Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 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.”

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.” (Galatians 5:19-26)

Both the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit are evident. We are known by our fruit.

Paul also writes:

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?” (2 Corinthians 13:5)

Self examination of our walk with Christ should be done daily, if not moment by moment. And what follows self examination, is self confrontation. As we see in Paul's exhortation to put off the old corrupt man, and then put on the new man. It's a choice we must make of our own will. And that choice requires action.

Let us each examine ourselves, as to whether we are in the faith.

When you look in the mirror today, which man do you see?

So how do we put on the new man? 

Immerse yourself in Christ. In prayer and worship to Him. In communion with Him. In His Word. Cling to His precious promises. He loves it when we come to Him and give Him our brokenness. God is for us. He will help us.

“Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” (Isaiah 41:10)

More times than I can count, God has helped and strengthened me in situations that I couldn't solve on my own. Times of deep water in my marriage where I was desperate. Times in my health where I didn't know what was to become of me. Times of financial hardship and unemployment with no light at the end of the tunnel. 

And most of those times He didn't immediately change the situation. But He strengthened me and gave me grace to go through difficult seasons. He has taught me to trust in Him, and draw near to Him.

He promised, "I will uphold you with My righteous right hand."

Thank You Lord.

—God is Love and Love Never Fails.