The Mirror Test – Part 3

How do we apply the mirror test to other believers? Can we apply the mirror test to ourselves? Is it even Scriptural to test people, including ourselves? These questions are all answered in the Bible.

Testing Other Believers

Are we supposed to test other believers in their walk with Christ? The simple answer is, yes! Not only are we supposed to do so, we are instructed and encouraged to apply the mirror test.

1 John 4:1-3

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.  (NKJV)

This is the first thing we ought to do when examining another person. Do they claim to know Christ? If so, does that person confess that Jesus came in the flesh? It doesn’t matter what a person says if they don’t openly acknowledge Jesus as Savior and Lord. If they don’t – or rather if they can’t – you had better be wary because they fail the mirror test and are not from God. Period.

1 Thessalonians 5:19-21

Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.  (NKJV)

We are to test the things which another believer says and does and compare them with what the Word of God states. Do those things line up with the precepts of God’s Word or do we see the ‘fog’ of that other person’s life? Do those things match the truthfulness and grace of Christ? Are they done in love? If they are predictions, do they come to pass? If they fail the mirror test then we are to reject those things.

1 Corinthians 10:14-16

Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry. 15 I speak as to wise men; judge for yourselves what I say.  (NKJV)

Even the Apostle Paul invited the church to apply the mirror test to what he said! He wanted them to use the Word of God and place it as a mirror against what he told others.

Acts 17:10-11

Then the brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea. When they arrived, they went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11 These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. (NKJV)

The Bereans applied the mirror test to what the apostles said and did to see if they passed the test.

This is Part Three of a multi-part series. Keep watch for the next installment!