Text: Proverbs 27:19 (ESV)

19 As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.

THE NEED OF SELF-REFLECTION

Still water is as a mirror. When you look into a pool, you will see your reflection. You can see what you truly look like, which might be different from what you think. Similarly, a person's heart reflects who he really is. Self-examination is a necessary thing (2 Cor 13:5; Prov 4:26). It can surface out what's happening deep within ourselves.

Some thought that this "reflection" in question comes through other people. Their argument is that this is in line with the idea presented in an earlier proverb that ‘iron sharpens iron’ (Prov 27:17). In other words, it implies that one learns more about themselves by seeing how words and actions are received by others. It also echoes the idea of two people interacting "face to face."

The imagery of the "heart" here is typically associated with thoughts and attitudes more than with emotions or desires. However, let us be warned for we have reasons to be skeptical of our own "hearts," regardless of the context. Why? Jeremiah depicts the natural human heart as deceitful and desperately wicked.[Jer 17:9] Our corrupted heart leads us away from God (Isa 53:6). Paul even says, "All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one." Adding to the description of unregenerate individuals, he says, "Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their path are ruin and misery" (Romans 3:12-15).

But God does give sinners a new heart and a new way of living, doesn’t He? When He changes the heart, He sets a person on a new path. The apostle Paul explains that with redemption comes adoption into God's family. And God sends the Spirit of Jesus into our hearts. Immediately, the old sinful habits will begin to drop off, and the new godly habits will take their place. As Paul said, “ Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Cor 5:17) This transformation is the work of the Spirit alone.

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