Don't Forget Your Reflection - iBelieve Truth: A Devotional for Women - May 5, 2025
“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 1:23-24
Recently, I started Scripture memorization. In my spiritual walk, this is a spiritual discipline that I have not practiced well. I read my Bible study and practice times of fasting, silence, and solitude. But I don't do Scripture memorization well. Perhaps it's because I'm getting older or because it's difficult to remember all the words.
In my most recent attempt, no matter how hard I tried to memorize the Bible verses, they wouldn't come. I made flash cards, studied daily, and wanted to embed them in my mind, but no matter how hard I tried, they wouldn't stick.
When I spoke to people in church or tried to write a devotional or article, I had difficulty remembering the verses and putting them in the proper context. Sometimes I misapplied it. I knew studying and memorizing the Word was essential to understand where and in what context it was being used. This way, when I was going through a difficult time, I could recall those verses hidden in my heart.
I am like someone who merely reads the Word but doesn't apply it. Many Christians believe they are Christians simply because they sit in a pew on Sunday or know a few verses. However, the spiritual life is just beginning. If someone wants a deeper life in Christ, they must do the work to aid their spiritual journey.
This involves doing the hard things, like Scripture memorization. This way, when they are in a trial, they can recall the verses and the truth of God's Word to help anchor them when life gets tough or a situation becomes difficult to discern.
When I look in the mirror, I examine my whole face. I take note of every wrinkle, flaw, and blemish. I apply makeup to the areas I want to conceal. I put makeup on to improve my facial features. I take steps to put on makeup when I must be at a formal event to make myself look my best. However, if I weren't aware of these flaws and weaknesses in my face, it would be fruitless for me to try to look my best.
In the same way, a person who hears the Word from a sermon but does not apply it to their life is doing the same thing. It becomes a fruitless endeavor. It doesn't allow someone to go deep into the Word of God like they should. This also robs them of an opportunity to know God deeply and intimately.
In the same way, looking in a mirror and then forgetting your reflection seems odd. Yet, it is the same in a Christian's life. We've made it commonplace not to do the work of becoming true disciples. It's like putting on makeup in the dark. The makeup will look silly because I don't remember what I saw or what places need to be covered up.
If we know God, we need to remember his Word. We need to apply it to our lives. We can't merely listen to a sermon, smile at the preacher, and continue as if nothing has changed. The Word of God is living and active. It is to illuminate our sins, bring us to repentance, and help us deepen our walk with God. If we're not doing that daily, we look just like a person who's put on makeup in the dark. We don't remember what we look like and appear downright foolish.
Remember the Word. Do as it says. Let it permeate deep into your soul. Do the work to become a deep disciple so you may go out into the world and proclaim the gospel.
Let's pray:
Father, let us be people who remember what your Word says. In the same way a person knows their facial features, we should examine our souls in light of God's truth. When we know the Word, we know you. Let us remember the Word so we can anchor ourselves to it daily. Amen.
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Related Resource: Instead of Doing More This Summer, Maybe You Need to Do Less
If you've been feeling tired, overwhelmed, depleted, or just quietly wondering where God is in the middle of a very full life — this episode is for you. And honestly? It might be for me too, because I'm recording this in one of those seasons myself.
Today we're doing something a little different. Instead of going deep in a passage, we're talking about what to do when deep feels like too much — when you need less, not more. Specifically, I'm walking you through one of my favorite practices for weary seasons: handwriting scripture.
Not typing it. Not scrolling past it. Actually writing it out, slowly, in your own hand — because something happens in your brain when you do that. The words land differently. They go deeper. And over time, they become part of that personal library of God's voice that the Holy Spirit can pull from when you need it most. That's what Psalm 119:11 means when it says I have hidden your word in my heart — it's scripture moving into your long-term memory, where it lives and stays even when you haven't opened your Bible in weeks.
I'm sharing the five verses I wrote out for myself today — and why each one hit me fresh even though I've known some of them for years. This episode is part of our How to Study the Bible Podcast, a show that brings life back to reading the Bible and helps you understand even the hardest parts of Scripture. If this episode helps you know and love God more, be sure to follow the How to Study the Bible Podcast on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
