To Be a Berean-Reflection

Today, we are going to tackle something that is rather white washed or virtually ignored in the western world. In fact, we are so unprepared for this, that it is taking hold of our churches in a rather terrifying way. Let’s talk about reflection and what this means Biblically. Reflection is the intentional act of pausing to consider what God is saying through His Word and how it connects to your life. When reflecting on God’s word, it is a form of meditating. Christian meditation is not like the pagan practice of meditation, where you lose yourself and do not have control of your emotions and/or mental capacity. We are supposed to meditate in prayer, fasting, and in scripture. This is a holy meditation where you are fully focused on God and His will. Let’s examine Psalm 1:1-3 and see just a glimpse of how God created true meditation to be like.

“Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2.But his delight is in the law of the Lord,
And in His law he meditates day and night. 3.He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.”

When reflecting over God’s Holy words, we must ask questions that drive us forward. Questions like, “What is God revealing about Himself?” Questions that will bring to light His characteristics such as His mercy, truth, and holiness. Examine the following scripture and see exactly what we mean by being intentional to understand the Most High: Exodus 34:6-7; 1 John 4:8, 16; 1 John 1:5; Psalm 11:7; Malachi 3:6. We must also remember that God reveals Himself through creation, this is orchestrated in Psalm 19:1 and Romans 1:20. God reveals Himself through His Son, Jesus Christ; John 1:14; John 14:9; Hebrews 1:3; Colossians 1:15. God reveals Himself as Savior and Provider; Isaiah 43:11-13; Genesis 22:14; Zephaniah 3:17.

The next question to consider is “What is He revealing about me?” What He reveals about your identity (You are designed, loved, a new creation, God’s masterpiece, a child of God and heir, and free from condemnation); Psalm 139:14, 16; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Ephesians 2:10; Galatians 4:7; Romans 8:1-2. What He reveals about your value and purpose (You are chosen and valued, never separated from His love, you have a purposeful future, and are empowered); 1 Peter 2:9; Romans 8:38-39; Jeremiah 29:11-13; Philippians 4:13

The third question is “Why do these passages matter today?” It is because the Bible is the Living Word of God; Hebrews 4:12; John 1:1, 14; John 6:63; Isaiah 40:8. The Word of the Lord endures forever and works in believers; 1 Peter 1:25; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Matthew 4:4. God wants us to understand His Word and to have a personal relationship with him. So therefore, these passages still apply in our lives because it is the Living Word of God. Reflection and meditation mean filling your mind with God’s truths and turning it over in your mind.

How can we create an environment for reflection? First, create an environment that is as free of distractions as you can. God often speaks through quiet and stillness. Chaos distracts our minds from His Word and how He speaks through it to us. When we pause and reflect, we create a space for God to bring clarity, conviction, comfort, and/or direction.

“Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”

Mark 1:35     

We use reflection to move from a head knowledge to a heart transformation. You can observe and interpret scripture accurately, but without reflection, it may never transform your heart. Reflection bridges the gap between understanding and change. Reflection prepares us for obedience. It softens our hearts so that when it’s time to apply God’s Word, we’re ready. The apostle James warns us about this in:

“22. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24. for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

James 1:22-25

There is not just a reliance on scripture during reflection, but there is also a role for the Holy Spirit as well. The Holy Spirit helps illuminate truth and personalize it to our daily walk and lives.

“12. I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15.All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”

John 16:12-15

As you reflect, ask the Holy Spirit to reveal what you might otherwise miss. Sometimes a single verse will stand out, pressing gently but persistently on your heart, or an underline meaning in the original translation. That’s often where God is working in your life. Use these verses as a stepping stool, but if you still need help understanding seek out and pray, ask the Lord to open your eyes so that you may understand.

Stay the course for the Kingdom,

Austin