MIRROR DOES -NOT LIE

THE MIRROR DOES NOT LIE

“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” — James 1:22 (KJV)

There is an old saying: “The mirror does not lie.”

When you stand before a mirror, it shows you as you really are. It does not flatter you, make excuses for you, or hide the things you would rather not see.

Oliver Cromwell is famously associated with the words “warts and all” when having his portrait painted. In other words: Do not make me look better than I really am. Paint me as I am.

There is a spiritual lesson in that.

GOD’S WORD IS A MIRROR

The Bible says:

“For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.” — James 1:23–24 (KJV)

God’s Word is like a mirror.

When we read the Scriptures with an open heart, they reveal things about ourselves that we may not want to admit. The Bible exposes our pride, selfishness, bitterness, unforgiveness, unbelief and sin.

The question is not merely, “What do I see when I look into a mirror?”

The greater question is:

“What does God see when He looks at me?”

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

I once heard a story about a pastor whose church was experiencing many problems. People complained about the pastor, complained about one another, and complained that the church was spiritually dead.

There was criticism, gossip and fault-finding everywhere.

Eventually, the pastor announced:

“Next Sunday I am going to reveal the person responsible for the condition of this church.”

Word spread quickly, and the following Sunday the church was packed.

At the front of the church stood a coffin.

People looked at one another and wondered who had died. Was this the person responsible for all the trouble?

The pastor invited everyone to come forward, one by one, and look inside the coffin.

They slowly filed past.

But there was no dead body inside.

There was a mirror.

Each person who looked into the coffin saw his or her own face staring back.

The pastor’s message was simple:

Before you blame somebody else for the spiritual condition of the church, look at yourself.

LORD, IS IT I?

How easy it is to point the finger.

Adam blamed Eve.

People blame their pastor.

Pastors may blame their congregations.

Church members blame other church members.

One generation blames another.

But when Jesus told His disciples that one of them would betray Him, they did not immediately begin pointing at one another.

They asked:

“Lord, is it I?” — Matthew 26:22 (KJV)

What a question for every Christian to ask.

Lord, is it I?

Am I praying as I should?

Am I reading Thy Word?

Am I encouraging others or discouraging them?

Am I building up the church or tearing it down?

Am I carrying bitterness?

Am I gossiping?

Am I seeking revival while refusing to let God revive me?

REVIVAL BEGINS WITH ME

We often pray:

“Lord, send revival!”

But perhaps our prayer should first be:

“Lord, revive me.”

Before asking God to change everybody around us, we need to allow Him to search our own hearts.

David prayed:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.” — Psalm 139:23 (KJV)

Revival does not begin by pointing a finger across the church.

Revival begins when we fall at the feet of Jesus.

The world may be deceived by an outward appearance. Other Christians may be deceived. We may even deceive ourselves.

But we cannot deceive Christ, the Head of the Church.

So today, look again into the mirror of God’s Word.

Don’t look for somebody else’s faults.

Don’t look for somebody else’s sins.

Don’t ask what somebody else needs to change.

Ask instead:

“Lord, what needs to change in me?”

For the mirror of God’s Word does not lie.

And when God shows us what is wrong, let us not walk away and forget what we have seen.

Let us humble ourselves, repent, obey His Word, and allow Jesus Christ to change us.

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” — Psalm 51:10 (KJV)

GOD KNOWS — GOD LOVES — GOD CARES

I think “The Mirror Does Not Lie” is still the best title because it immediately connects with your original message. The coffin with the mirror inside would also make a powerful picture for this blog—especially with James 1:23–24and your ministry name on it.

For Georges Web Ministries

10th September 2026

God is a good God

God Knows God Loves and God Cares