Overcoming Your Blindspots
‘Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
James 1:22-24
Have you ever noticed that some people have 20/20 vision for the flaws and misdeeds of others but complete myopia when it comes to themselves? They have a keen eye for the faults of others, but a serious case of “I” trouble when it comes to their own.
Jesus recognized this issue and uses this metaphor:
"The eye is the lamp of the body; so then if your eye is clear, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad…" (In other words, if you cannot see the truth about you) "…your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!"
We, humans, have an amazing talent for self-deception. Fortunately, we’ve been provided with a way to overcome our blind spots.
We, humans, have an amazing talent for self-deception. We have a keen eye for the faults of others, but a serious case of “I” trouble when it comes to our own.
The Scriptures can act as spiritual spectacles that allow us to not only make our way forward successfully, but also to see ourselves clearly. I say “can act” because mere exposure to the truth doesn’t always result in application of the truth.
That's why James writes, "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 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."
The Bible can be a mirror.
James says the Bible can be kind of a mirror as it relates to self-awareness. But if I read the Bible and then excuse or rationalize my behavior…if I don’t allow it to show me how I’m falling short of being a Jesus kind of person, I can deceive myself. Mere exposure to the Scriptures doesn’t necessarily result in solid transformation by the Scriptures. There’s a world of difference between being a listener to the Word and being a doer of the Word.
Mere exposure to the Scriptures doesn’t necessarily result in transformation by the Scriptures.
So, this week when you read the Bible, read it not only with open eyes, but with a teachable spirit. As you pour over it, place yourself under it.
Instead of just starting to read and maybe slipping into, "What a good thing I'm doing. I'm reading the Bible," or "Here's what I will know now about the Bible," begin by saying, "God, would you reveal truth to me about me…and what you want me to do and who you want me to be?"
Such a close look in the mirror might shock you (We all know what that’s like – especially first thing in the morning!). But wouldn’t you rather go out into your day having seen yourself for what you really are…and having sought to make some adjustments?
PRAYER:
Lord, You know how easily I can point out others’ flaws and yet be so blind to my own. Forgive me for such judgmentalism. And help me look in the mirror of Your Word to see myself as I really am. Then give me the courage to make the necessary corrections.
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