“Mirror, Mirror on the Wall” – Excerpt from Shadows Among Us

By Robin Bertram – 

And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit (II Co 3:18).

Most everyone has heard at some point in his or her life the childhood story of Snow White. Peering into a mirror, the wicked witch chants:

Mirror, mirror on the wall,

Who’s the fairest of them all?

Hoping for a positive response, the witch was greatly disturbed upon hearing the mirror counter with just the opposite of what was anticipated. Image, be it real or imagined, is a foundational building block in understanding our relationship with God. It is foundational to effectively operating in the Ministry of Deliverance. Image is the reproduction of a form or being. It is the exact likeness or a visible representation of someone or something. God puts such a value on image that He created man in His own likeness, after His own divine pattern. What an awesome concept! This truth is a hard notion for the most mature of Christians. We are created in His image. We are to reflect His image. We are being transformed into the same image, from glory to glory.

As believers, we are to be a representation of our Father in heaven; our model being Jesus Christ of Nazareth. The difficulty arises when we, like the witch in the children’s story, gaze into a proverbial mirror and receive information that is faulty, twisted or an illusion. How do we see ourselves? This will set our course. It can determine the success we experience, as well as the failures we have had to endure. The principles within God’s Word confirm over and over that we become what we believe in our hearts we are. We are also taught through scripture that we become like the thing we worship. Therefore, it stands to reason that our thinking must be aligned with what the Word of God says we are, and we must worship God, and God alone. Who we are is determined by a myriad of factors, some that can be altered, and some that cannot. Dwelling on those things that cannot be changed, is counterproductive. However, how we view those things which cannot be changed can alter the eventual outcome of our lives. Each and every person is uniquely created, with an individual blueprint, with a plan and purpose behind the creation. In the Ministry of Deliverance, we often see the destruction brought about through distorted images of oneself. Effective deliverance ministry can often pinpoint those distortions, find the event or lie where the distortions became what seemed like reality, and bring truth and clarity into that place.

We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim) We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes and we looked the same to them (Nu 13:33 NIV).

How do these distorted images of self come into being? Where do they stem from? Can they be corrected? The answer to the last question is, categorically, yes! Change must consist of replacing the old way of thinking with a new way of thinking. Renewing of the mind requires a proactive decision. It takes a concerted effort on the part of the person who holds these distortions and it must be based on truth. Satan attempts to distort man’s image of himself, especially as it relates to the likeness of God. He uses age-old techniques to strip one’s identity with a consistent barrage of tricks, schemes, reminders of our past failures or sins, and even the sins of our forefathers. The Word of God gives us a true picture of whom and what we are. It must become our blueprint, erasing the faulty thinking with a renewed awareness of what we are to see as we gaze into that proverbial mirror on the wall.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good, and acceptable and perfect (Ro 12:2).

We must change our way of thinking according to scripture. Negative mindsets often begin with critical and judgmental thinking. Thought patterns develop at a very early age and are enforced through the family environment. Unhealthy attitudes are passed from generation to generation. Throughout the Old Testament, we see issues of sin and poor decision-making passed down from father to son, and then to grandson, and so-on. Faulty thinking can skew one’s vision of self as well as how one perceives others. Skewed vision will most frequently be rooted in sins of self: pride, rebellion, rejection, false humility, or self-pity. In an attempt to have one’s needs met, where there may have been a void early in life, methods are developed for self-protection, self-promotion, or self-preservation. These attempts to fill the void actually replace the plan God has designed. He, being our protector, our shield, and our sustainer, has been usurped by one’s own frail attempts to fulfill those things missing in their life. Self-motivated techniques form strongholds that stand in opposition to fully trusting in God. Frequently in the Ministry of Deliverance, when there have been fractured relationships, distrust and blame is pointed toward God, thus further alienating the one in need of restoration. Strongholds that were meant to protect and secure actually block the flow, preventing an individual from receiving the tremendous love of God, the Father. There is a solution; it is found upon the pages of the Holy Bible.

You were taught to put away your former way of life, your old self, corrupt and deluded by its lusts, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to clothe yourselves with the new self, created according to the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:22-24).

Robin Bertram is one of the most passionate teachers of our time in the field of personal transformation. “Overcoming” and “Victorious” are two words that best describe Robin’s life journey. With her infectious energy, empathetic spirit, and inspirational messages she offers a refreshing antidote to the self-help, talking head experts and “Oprah theology.” For the past fifteen years she has reached many throughout the southeast with her positive messages about God’s love, His grace, and the freedom we have in Jesus Christ. She has been very instrumental in the field of praying for transformation of the whole person; body, soul, and spirit.
Website: http://www.robinbertram.org/index.php.