The Mirror of the Bible | sermon by Father. Mungamuri Devadasu | Bible Mission

The word Bible originates from the Greek word "Biblos", meaning "Book"—signifying that it is the greatest of all books. Since it was written under the divine inspiration of the Holy Spirit, it stands above all other writings, a truth reflected in its very name.

The Bible reveals:

• How God created the world, mankind, and everything in existence.
• How sin entered humanity.
• How God promised salvation from sin and worked throughout history to fulfill His promise.
• The distinction between sin and holiness and the path to redemption.
• How to receive God’s blessings and live in accordance with His will.

The Bible explains how our sins can be forgiven, how we can receive the power to overcome sin, and how to live righteously by putting our faith in God. It also teaches us how to defeat Satan, the instigator of sin. For this reason, the Bible can be compared to a mirror. Just as a mirror reflects a person’s outward appearance, the Bible reflects the inner state of the soul. If a person examines themselves in this spiritual mirror, corrects their life according to its teachings, and walks in righteousness, they will inherit eternal glory in God’s kingdom.

Here are some key lessons the Bible mirror reveals to guide a person toward spiritual transformation:

1.       Sins against God: Holding false beliefs about God, feeling resentment toward Him, and similar faults.

2.      Against Yourself: Actions that harm your body, soul, or overall well-being.

3.      Against Angels: Doubting or denying the presence and assistance of angels.

4.      Against Others: Failing to love your enemies and neglecting to pray for them.

5.      Against Living Beings: Treating animals and other living creatures with cruelty.

6.      Against Material Things: Misusing or wasting resources and possessions.

7.      Impurities in Thought, Sight, Hearing, Speech, Effort, Actions, and Dreams.

8.      Lack of Righteousness: Ignoring the poor, refusing to help those in need, and failing to support charitable causes.

9.      Laziness: Avoiding hard work, being idle despite having responsibilities, and relying on others for survival.

10.   Neglecting Health: Ignoring treatment when sick, refusing food out of anger or despair, wishing for an early death, failing to maintain personal hygiene, and leading an impure life that results in premature death.

11.    Lack of Harmony in Marriage: Harboring conflicts without seeking reconciliation, lacking forgiveness, and engaging in impure behavior in youth.

12.   Lying: Mixing truth with falsehood and giving false testimony in courts or legal matters.

13.   Deceptive Speech: Using ambiguous words with the intent to deceive or lie.

14.   Failure to Repay Debts: Promising to repay loans but deliberately avoiding repayment.

15.   Envy: Feeling troubled by the success, wealth, status, or blessings of others.

16.   Baseless Imaginations and Unnecessary Thoughts.

17.    Greed: Desiring another person’s property or possessions.

18.   Doubt: Lacking faith, hesitating, and questioning the truth of salvation and the existence of heaven and hell.

19.   Indecisiveness: Being uncertain about which biblical teachings are true due to various interpretations.

20.  Pride: Seeking praise, boasting, and desiring superiority or admiration from others.

21.   Fear: Feeling anxious or scared of snakes, tigers, harmful people, or opponents; fearing bad dreams, false visions, insults, omens, fortune-tellers, sorcerers, or curses.

22.  Worry: Constantly dwelling on unfulfilled desires and unmet expectations.

23.  Discouragement: Losing hope and feeling despair.

24.   Complaints of Poverty: Continually lamenting about what is lacking and feeling unsatisfied.

25.  Unjustified Anger: Getting irritated or angry without a valid reason.

26.  Spiritual Apathy: Ignoring sin even after recognizing it, disregarding the consequences of sin such as suffering, death, or hell, failing to change despite many teachings, and lacking hope in salvation.

27.   Taking God’s Grace for Granted: Living carelessly with the belief that God will forgive all sins, regardless of one’s actions.

·        Neglecting Responsibilities: Failing to fulfill one’s duties.

·        Ingratitude: Acknowledging the good received yet forgetting those who helped, and lacking thankfulness toward God. Disrespect: Failing to honor elders and showing disregard for community leaders and authorities.

May you examine these weaknesses through the mirror of the Bible, correct them, and remain steadfast in a life of righteousness. May Christ, the Bridegroom, grant you His grace. Amen.