The Mirror Test – Part 5

The mirror test is a great way for us to determine if our own life shows up in the actions we allow, or if we have died to sin and allow the Spirit to live through us. So how can we apply the mirror test?

First Application

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? — unless indeed you are disqualified.  (NKJV)

Start with the basics by asking yourself if Jesus is truly the LORD of your life and not just your Savior. Do you act on what He says in His Word, or do you live for yourself and for what is most convenient for you? Is it your heart’s desire to please Him or are you simply glad you’re not going to hell? Do you have an ‘internal voice’ that lets you know if you’ve done something wrong, or do you gauge everything you do by what you think is right? Do you continue to say no to yourself and yes to Christ?

What Is The Mirror?

Once we know that we are in Christ we need to find out what we use as the mirror for our test.  What is it we are to use? It is the Word of God.

James 1:22-25

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.  (NKJV)

As we read and meditate upon the Word, the Holy Spirit will bring those things to our mind and lead us in how we should speak and act toward others. Being led by His Spirit is the way we live the life of Jesus! As we read, study, and meditate on Scripture, the Holy Spirit will help us by transforming our minds.

Romans 12:1-2

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.  (NKJV)

A One-Time Event?

This is a process, a day-by-day application of the mirror test. As we continue to follow the leading of the Word and Spirit we are conformed more and more into the image of the very One Who bought us.

2 Cor 3:18

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.  (NKJV)

It isn’t something we can do ourselves because if we could do it, it would be our old life living through us. If we could accomplish it then it isn’t from the Lord – it’s from us.

No, this is something that God Himself needs to do within us, and it is only accomplished as we die to ourselves and allow His life to be worked out through us!

1 Cor 13:12

For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.  (NKJV)

We need to apply the mirror test to every area of our lives. All the time. Every time. This is a necessary part of our growing and maturing into the person that God wants us to be. As we use His Word to evaluate our lives we apply the mirror and see if any fog forms.

If we see sin in our lives then we have failed the mirror test. The fog of our own breath obscures the image of Christ we want to behold in the mirror. That old nature still breathes life! If that’s the case then we need to immediately repent and seek forgiveness and restoration with our Father. As we do so He has promised to forgive us and cleanse us!

If we witness love, peace, joy, and other fruit of the Spirit, then we have crucified ourselves with Christ – we have died to ourselves. There isn’t any fog because we have been crucified with Christ, and we have passed the mirror test!