chevron-leftchevron-right-+crossclosefacebook-bwGroup 15instagram-bwmenuNew Tabtwitter-bwyoutube-bw
facebook-bw twitter-bw instagram-bw youtube-bw menu close - +

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:23

Watch Session Three: The Greatest News

We have all been there. Standing in the mirror, looking at ourselves, and asking ourselves the same question: “Why did I do that?”

Some of us may take the time to investigate our motives. But even after getting at the heart of the problem, we still find ourselves back at the mirror. We never know our motives, and that just makes the mirror a frustrating place to be. Still, we all can agree that every time we come back to the mirror we can see the damage of our decisions in our eyes. Jaded. Suspicious. Hurt. Mistrusting. Dying. And that is what sin is. Sin is the inescapable, unavoidable death we see in the mirror. Sin is the reality that I can keep coming back to the mirror all I want, but I can never change what it shows me.

who's the fairest?

We have an ugly habit of thinking the best of ourselves; and quite frankly, that habit is the basis for the worst of our problems. In the beginning, humankind was without sin. But the desire to think the best of ourselves ushered sin into the world. When Satan tempted Eve in the garden to eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, he tempted her by convincing her that God was holding back the best. Satan said, “God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil” (Genesis 3:5). The ugliness that followed was death. And not just death for Eve and her husband Adam but all those who came after them.

can i save myself?

We all have sinned, still sin, and will continue to sin. And sin enslaves. We know it enslave because it is sin that keeps driving us back to the mirror to ask ourselves the same question, “Why did I do that?” In John 8:34, Jesus says it like this, “Truly, truly, I say to you everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.” As humans we are finite in both will and ability. Essentially, we have absolutely no ability to free ourselves from the slavery sin causes; nor do we have the full capacity to desire to be free from sin. Paul says, “I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out” (Romans 7:18).

The very real reality is that even though we are incapable of stopping ourselves from sin, there is a part of us that wants to sin.

But there is good news. Jesus has come!

Share

Leader Guide

Download

Learn More

About IF:Equip

Go Back

The Good Gospel

Daily Question

How have you seen the impact of your sin on your life and the lives of those around you?

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Comments (10)

I have sinned and immediately ‘gone to the mirror’ to ask "Why did I just do that?". I know the mistakes almost as I make them, but I don’t stop sometimes. (I am so grateful for Jesus’ forgiveness)

I see it everyday. Sharpness in my words. Words that don’t sound loving and kind to those who I truly love.

I see it every day and as the fear of the unknown overwhelms us, people turn on people and we blame, blame, blame and want someone to pay. We forget that another person hurting doesn’t alleviate our pain or fear. Instead it spreads it.

God’s love and forgiveness is what we need. We need to ask God to help us remember that He is in charge and our only duty is to rely on Him, love Him, and love our fellow man. Simple, right?

I start to doubt myself and then that trickles into my marriage when my husband says any small thing I don’t like and I overreact and then we have a fight over something insignificant.

Sin has dragged me to the deepest of dark places. While writing this, I can feel sin trying to pursue me and puncture the love I have for God. When I sin, I usually blame others for what I have done, and I never accept/believe in the things I have done to displease God. I feel undeserving when I do that. All glory be to God and His Son Jesus, however, for we can choose to follow God daily and can flick the taunting sin away from our grasp.

The impact of sin in my life has broken down relationships. Sin caused problems that could have been avoided. At the time of sinning, it feels like the right thing to do but the aftermath always proves sin produces brokenness and regret.

Just like sin separates us from God, sin also separates us from others. It puts wedges between us and those affected by our sin. It affects our walk and our witness.

My sin 5 years ago, was keeping and inviting others to partake into sin by partying with me. drinking and smoking and some who were mothers to choose that "fun life" over their own children by making it seem appealing and for husband’s to want a woman who not only participated but accepted the sin. because of this I know i cause alot more brokenness into families and homes. that’s a hard thing to admit.

Have questions?

We've got answers.

View Our FAQs

Thank you to our study partner