Proverbs 27:19 True Reflections

Proverbs 27:19 (NLT) As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.

A great example of this truth would be the relationship between Jacob and Laban found in Genesis 29:16-30:43. It’s an intriguing story of Laban’s repeated manipulation, lies and deceit. His actions were a true reflection of his heart. By the time we get to chapter 30:31 Jacob has finally come to understand Laban and how to deal with his treacherous father-in-law. 

Jesus taught his disciples, “the good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Luke 6:45 (NASB)  Our actions and words are the fruit that bears witness to our heart. They are a true reflection of our deepest self. “you can identify people by their actions.” Matthew 7:20b (NLT)

Matt 12:33-35 (NLT) 33 “A tree is identified by its fruit. If a tree is good, its fruit will be good. If a tree is bad, its fruit will be bad.34 You brood of snakes! How could evil men like you speak what is good and right? For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.35 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.

Acts 28:27 (NIV)  For this people's heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.

The prophet Jeremiah speaking by the Spirit of the Lord declares, “The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?” Jeremiah 17:8 (NLT) This is very sobering statement! We can be easily deceived, refusing to believe what we see in our reflection. We tend to minimize and to deny what is clearly visible to God and others. 

For the reflection to change the heart must be reborn. The heart must be continually yielded to the sanctifying power and truth of God’s Word and the inner working of the Holy Spirit. “Don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.” James 1:22-25 (NLT)

Father God, thank You for forgiving me for the times when I have resister Your influence, when I have closed my eyes to Your Word, turned a deaf ear to the voice of the Holy Spirit and hardened my heart.  I wounded those I love, brought shame to my life, and pain to You. You heard my confession and cleansed me by the blood of Jesus. You gave great grace to those I offended to also forgive me and have mended damaged relationships. With all my heart I love and worship YOU. Amen