Reflections Can Be Deceiving

Reflections Can Be Deceiving

Our house has many windows.  I love this feature because it brings the outside in. Instinctively, people can discern the presence of windows.  However, some birds don’t recognize glass barriers.  Instead, they see an open pathway.  Unfortunately, we sometimes hear the thud of a songbird hitting our windows.  Granted, reflections can be deceiving.  What we think we see, may be an illusion.

Is My Reality True?

The bird’s unfortunate fate, which by the way we are trying to prevent, makes me wonder.  Am I clearly seeing the reality of a situation, or am I being fooled?

Reflections are all around us.  Every time I walk by a window or mirror, something is staring back at me.  Often these reflections can distort what is real.  It reminds me of circus mirrors where the body is completely distorted, either long and tall or short and wide.  I am amused by the image and know it is false.  However, other reflections in life are not so obvious.

What is My Source of Truth?

In her Bible Study, Encountering God, Kelly Minter challenges women to look to God’s Word for their source of truth.  https://kellyminter.com/encountering-god/

Kelly teaches from 2 Timothy 3, where the Apostle Paul is mentoring Timothy, his son in the faith.  Paul gives Timothy a warning.  Evil people and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.   2 Timothy 3:13 

Paul urges Timothy to know God’s Word, so he can distinguish truth from error.  In turn, God wants me to view the world as He sees it.

…you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.  2 Timothy 3:15

Reflections Can Be Deceiving

In the book, God Has a Name by John Mark Comer, he says, “We don’t know what God is like, but we can learn.  But to learn, we must go to the source.” What is the source?  The Bible. https://youtu.be/lJK4BBPqmR4?si=HIIsWzXKTUu1jhJM

I should filter everything I see through the lens the Scripture.  God helps me discern truth from error.  I want to see the world from His perspective.  In fact, in James 1:23-25, God’s Word is described as a mirror.  

My Reflection in God’s Mirror

I admit, when I check my image in a mirror, I usually don’t walk away without fixing my hair or adjusting my makeup.  Granted, I am scrutinizing my appearance, and making changes accordingly. However, do I spend as much time comparing my actions against the mirror of God’s Word?  Am I analyzing what I see, think, and do, through the optic of Scripture?  Am I making the proper modifications?

God’s Word must be my source of truth.  Certainly, I don’t want the same deadly fate as the songbirds that hit our windows.  I must seek truth because reflections can be deceiving.  

Dear Lord, help me sift the world through the lens of Scripture.  Please don’t allow me to be tricked by falsehoods.  Protect and guide me.  Amen.

Questions to Consider:

1. Are you good at discerning truth from error?  How do you know?
2. Share a time when you were tricked by a faulty reflection.