August 27, 2003
Reading: Proverbs 27:17-21

 

“As in water face reflects face” (19)

 

There is a story told of a dog who, carrying a bone across a bridge, looked down into the water and saw what he thought was another dog with a bone. The other dog’s bone looked bigger than his, so he dropped his and jumped into the water to get the larger one. Of course, we know that the dog merely saw his own reflection but was unaware of this fact.

Our text says, “As in water face reflects face, so a man’s heart reveals the man.” Unfortunately many men and women are unaware of this fact. There are those of whom it is said, “He wears his heart on his sleeve.” In other words, his life, that which is observed by others, reflects his heart, that which most people keep hidden in the depths of their soul.

One of the traits of humans is to be “two-faced.” We profess to be one thing when in reality we are something else. This is true not only of mankind in general but also of Christians. How often do we attend church, sing Amazing Grace, teach in Sunday School or even pastor a church, and by so doing we give the impression that all is well between the Lord and ourselves. The reality is that, in the depth of our soul, we seek to keep hidden doubts, depression and unconfessed sins.

We all have either known or heard of pastors, evangelists or people who have always appeared to be faithful and devoted Christians, who suddenly leave the church because they have committed some unbelievable sin. This does not happen unless this sin has been festering in their heart for sometime. It is usually one of those sins that have been kept imprisoned deep in their soul but now breaks loose and is suddenly revealed in their outward life for all to see. Eventually, that which is in the heart is revealed. Some of us are very skilled at hiding the reality of what we really are, but the fact remains that “a man’s heart reveals the man.”

If we are successful in keeping these realities hidden from our fellow man, we can be sure the day will come when all will be laid open, “For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light” Luke 8:17. Paul reminded the Corinthian Christians “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts” 1 Corinthians 4:5.

We cannot hide the thoughts of our heart from God, “Then the Spirit of the LORD fell upon me, and said to me, ‘Speak! Thus says the LORD: Thus you have said, O house of Israel; for I know the things that come into your mind” Ezekiel 11:5. We may be able to fool our fellow man but it is impossible to fool God. Are we more concerned about what man thinks of us or what God thinks? We must always remember that the reflection we see in the water is what we really are. When we look into the Bible we see the true reflection of how we are and, if we do not like what we see of ourselves, we must seek to change. That same Bible that shows us what we are really like also tells us how to change.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9. The only way these hidden sins can be removed is by confessing them to God. He knows anyway but calls for us to acknowledge them and commit our way to Him. He knows the intent of our heart and knows whether we confess because of feeling guilty or because we love Him and really want to change.