I’m Looking At The Man In The Mirror

By Bonnie Jones

December 2021

How appropriate that this word should come at the end of the year. Actually the first time I heard it was on Day of Atonement. Yet at that time I felt it was a personal word so I did not include it as part of the Shepherd’s Rod. However just yesterday the Lord had me take another look at this phrase and as I was inquiring about December’s word of the month this is what He highlighted.

Early on Thanksgiving morning I had a short dream where Bob Jones and I were standing in a men’s locker room. I could see showers, lockers and benches all around us and recognized the familiar locker room scent. Bob and I stood facing and the wall. I noticed a full-length mirror hanging on the wall near the door across from us. Then the knowing of this dream dropped into my spirit. It was like a video of something from Bob’s past played out in front of me.

The Knowing 

Many years ago another well known anointed prophet put a curse on Bob but he didn’t realize it. After cursing Bob the man gloated and returned to his old ways. “Bob had to repent for receiving the curse and rejecting the truth.”  In other words Bob had to turn and face the man in the mirror and repent. 

I truly believe this is a significant word for the body of Christ. Although I was not married to Bob when this incident occurred, I know in fact that it happened. What I was shown in this (video) vision was exactly as Bob shared with me. You see we use words to bless or curse. (James 3:10) The other prophet used his words to curse Bob. I believe Bob probably just brushed it off and went about the Lord’s business. However because Bob did not discern it as a curse he did not cancel it. In his lack of discernment he rejected the truth of the word God used to set this man free. The other prophet used charismatic Christian like language in response to Bob delivering him from bondage. 

Was Bob’s ministry successful? Yes indeed! Bob was sent to take him through deliverance and set him free from demonic oppression. Which he did. However the other prophet chose to yield to his flesh and hold on to a portion of this oppression. He had become so familiar with demonic oppression that a part of him did not want to let go of it. Therefore he yielded to it instead of the Holy Spirit. It was in that moment the oppressed nature of this man cursed Bob.

From Glory to Glory

Remember, in the dream Bob was facing the wall not the mirror. I believe that before Bob went home to Jesus he repented for the sin of not discerning the curse. In this dream I represent the bride of Christ, the remnant church that needs to turn and take an honest look in the mirror.  It is from the place of total transparency and surrender to the Lord that we are transformed into His image. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) We cannot enter into the glory of God without clean hands and a pure heart. (Psalm 24:4)

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18)

This is an invitation for each one of us to come clean by facing the man in the mirror. Like the old Michael Jackson song from 1988 says:

I’m starting with the man in the mirror  

I’m asking him to change his ways
And no message could’ve been any clearer
If they wanna make the world a better place
Take a look at yourself and then make a change

I believe that if we take an honest look at ourselves by letting God examine us, we will be transformed into the image of Christ. As human beings we tend to think we can fix things, especially other people. Therefore we point a finger at them in criticism and/or condemnation instead of accepting them as they are. What is it about them that bothers me? Why do I want to change them into my way of thinking? Why can’t they be more like me? These are just a few selfish questions we filter through our mind instead of looking in the mirror at our own flaws. When we stand and look at ourselves in the mirror with an unveiled face beholding His glory, He will reveal our flaws so we make a change in our life. Then we are prepared to advance to the next phase of His glory.

Transition, Transformation & Transfiguration

I believe the body of Christ has been in a time of transition, where it seems like everything in our life changed. Old things had to be gotten rid of to make room for the new that God wants to do in our life. It was time to say good-bye to things that hindered us from entering into His presence. Some of this transition was very painful but necessary. And to the degree we yielded to God’s will individually determined that length of time. We were being transformed into the mirror image of Christ in this world. And His image is perfect love. (1 John 4:17-19)

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the Day of Judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us. (1 John 4:17-19)

Being transformed into the image of Christ also means we must deal with the religious spirit that has reigned over the church instead of the five-fold ministry of God. The religious spirit consists of legalism (replaces the apostle), opinion (replaces the prophet), debate (replaces the evangelist), judgment (replaces the pastor) and criticism (replaces the teacher). When Christ is truly made “head” (Colossians 1:8) over the church, the body will be transformed into His image that is LOVE. (1 John 4:7-8)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. (1 John 4:7-8)

After transformation comes transfiguration. At the transfiguration, Elijah and Moses appear and Jesus had a conversation with them. This illustrates the death of the law and the coming promise of His power and glory resting upon the body of Christ. I believe the invitation is available for all believers who are willing to go through the process of choosing His will over their own and following Him in strict obedience to the cross. Are we willing to die daily? Can we look closely at the man in the mirror and repent of our selfish ways? Can we choose to love instead of pointing a finger? Can we become vessels of love? These are just a few things to consider. 

I believe God wants us to come up higher in Him and it begins by looking at our self, allowing God to shine His light upon us daily, repent of our selfish ways and embracing the cross. Then we will know the Truth and be set free (John 832) by the Spirit of the Lord Who brings liberty. (2 Corinthians 3:17)

Lesson of Discernment 

One last thing to consider is discernment. I know for a fact Bob had great discernment of spirit. However I feel that in the moment he either didn’t hear it or because of the Christian context he didn’t discern it as a curse. We must be wise to the enemy’s tactics. Yes, the devil will use anointed people to curse with their words and this is the worst kind – anointed curses.  They carry a lot of power. The longer you walk with the Lord the more power and authority your words possess.

Years ago the Lord told me, “You must take an aggressive stand against the spoken word because it gives the enemy permission to use them against you. You must cancel the power and authority of the spoken word!” Once a word is released the enemy has the legal right to use them against us and he does. 

We curse our self with our own words. Think before you speak and discern what you hear others saying. If it does not line up with scripture and you know in your heart it is wrong – simply say, I cancel the power and authority of these words. Then speak positive, life-giving words over yourself.  Jesus said, “Get behind me Satan” when He discerned Peter’s lack of understanding. It did not line up with heaven’s plan. 

But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” (Matthew 16:23)

Let us take a look at the man in the mirror allowing the Lord to deal with our character flaws that will change our ways through repentance. As we are transformed into His image of love, let us behold His glory so we can enter into the coming promise of His power and glory resting upon the body of Christ.

Note:

If you are interested in obtaining a complete copy of the 2022 Shepherd’s Rod you can pre-order on our website didyoulearntolove.org