Smoke & Mirrors

SMOKE AND MIRRORS

James 1:22 -25 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”

When you looked into the mirror today as you got dressed to come, what did you do?

1. (FONZIE SYNDROME) HAPPY DAYS - FONZIE - hey! I’m perfect already. Not a hair out of place, no zits, no sleep in your eyes, no grease or dirt on your face. You didn’t even have to brush your teeth.

a. Self righteous person feels the same about their spiritual appearance. They don’t need anything. Satisfied.

2. (SNOW WHITE SYNDROME)THE QUEEN - SNOW WHITE. You look into the mirror on the wall, “Mirror, Mirror, on the wall, who’s the fairest of them all.” And that mirror had better answer right or else.

a. The one who sees themselves as better than anyone else. Not comparing their lives to God’s Word or to the image of Christ. Nasty spirit, selfish attitude, Look at me, full of Pride. I’m the best that I can be. I’m beautiful, I’m smart, I’m a super-christian, but, You better not cross my path.

3. (MASK SYNDROME)SOME PEOPLE - PUT ON A MASK

a. They don’t want anyone to see what’s real. Let’s cover all the flaws, let’s cover the blemishes. I can’t let anyone see the real me. I’m too ugly (UGLY ENOUGH TO STOP A CLOCK. ETC.). I can’t go out into the world looking like this. I have to hide the real me.

b. Some of you can’t be real. You are afraid to let your faults show, so you put on a mask around other people.

c. We put on spiritual makeup. To appear better, closer to God than we really are. You aren’t a bad person, you may love God with all your heart, you may want to serve God, but, you are afraid the world will find out you aren’t perfect. We already know you aren’t perfect, so learn to BE REAL!

4. (REALITY SYNDROME)THIS IS WHERE WE NEED TO BE.

Don’t be afraid to look into the mirror and see the flaws. Search them out so that God can correct them. Learn to repent of sin, learn to compare yourself only to Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

a. Look into the mirror, correct what’s wrong, do your best to look right, act right, talk right, walk right. You will not be perfect, no one is. Ask for God’s help. Be open and real Him. He knows the real you anyway.

A LOT OF MAGIC SHOWS USE SMOKE AND MIRRORS

(TO HIDE THE THINGS THAT ARE GOING ON)

(TO MAKE THINGS APPEAR DIFFERENTLY)

(TO CREATE A MISTIFYING ATMOSPHERE)

WHAT DOES THIS HAVE TO DO WITH US, HERE AND NOW?

We love to use smoke and mirrors every day.

WE LOVE CREATE AN ILLUSION THAT ALL IS WELL!

WE LOVE CREATE A PICTURE OF OUR SELVES THAT MAKE US LOOK GOOD. NOT LET ANYONE SEE THE REAL US!

WE PUT A SMOKE SCREEN TO HIDE THE SIN, FAILURES, MISTAKES IN LIFE.

BUT GOD CAN SEE THROUGH SMOKE. MIRRORS DON’T FOOL HIM. HE KNOWS THE REAL YOU AND LOVES YOU ANYWAY.

THE DEVIL USES SMOKE & MIRRORS

He loves to make things appear different than they really are.

Drugs, alcohol, sex outside of marraige, unholy books, movies, TV shows, magazines, worldy and so called Christian Rock Music. ALL ARE GIVEN AN OUTWARD APPEARANCE OF BEING HARMLESS AND SOMETIMES EVEN BEAUTIFUL AND DESIRABLE.

The real appearance is hidden. You aren’t able to see because of the smoke and mirrors. He has you mystified. It’s all so pretty to look at.

IT’S COOL TO DO ALL THOSE THINGS!

DON’T BE A GEEK! COME ON! DON’T BE A RELIGIOUS NUT!

Go ahead! Drink your alcohol -

don’t think about the wreck on the highway

don’t think about the ruined life & homes

don’t think about the destroyed body

Go ahead! Use your drugs -

don’t think about the blown mine that can’t think

don’t think about the body that’s dying each time

don’t see the soul burning in hell forever

Go ahead! Have sex outside of marriage -

don’t abstain, that’s for geeks.

Don’t consider the AIDS virus and VD

don’t think about the illigitimate children

don’t think about God’s judgments for sin

Go ahead! Keep playing your tricks -

sneaking out the window after everyone is asleep