Mirror Check: Skip the Knockoff

By: Gabriela Yareliz

Robinhood recently had a fun fact that read: “71% of Gen Z consumers say they sometimes buy knockoff products.” As a society, we are sort of obsessed with “real” vs. “fake”.

We’ve all seen the memes and also true horror stories of orders from Temu. You know… the expectation versus the reality.

Exodus 20:7 (our mirror check) tells us: “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.”

This commandment goes beyond saying “Oh my God.” It’s deeper than that. It goes to how we represent Him in our lives. Are we a Temu version of a follower of Jesus? Are people expecting one thing, and we are some cheap, taped together imitation version of what is supposed to be?

None of us are perfect, but what this commandment really touches on is sincerity of heart. Do we think we are tricking God and others? Are we satisfied with looking a certain way rather than being the real thing?

That’s the thing about the heroes of scripture— they were deeply flawed, but those used and transformed by God were the sincere of heart. God seeks our sincerity.

In a world of fakes, God is looking for real.

Mirror Check Questions: When people look at me, do they see an accurate picture of who God really is? Do I understand who God really is? Do I need to pray for wisdom and for God to reveal Himself to me so I can know and reflect Him more fully? Have I been satisfied with looking like the real thing while not being genuine?