I’m Talking to the Man in the Mirror

We live in a culture that makes it easy to point fingers. Politicians, leaders, spouses, coworkers, even strangers—we’re quick to say the problem is them. Rarely do we pause long enough to admit: maybe the problem is me.

When Michael Jackson released “Man in the Mirror” in 1988, the message was simple: if you want to make the world a better place, start with the person staring back at you. Long before that, Jesus said it even more directly:

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NIV)

The truth is, self-examination is one of the hardest things to do. Yet it’s the foundation for growth, legacy, and even survival.

🔍 The Danger of Avoiding the Mirror

When we refuse to look inward, we project blame outward. That projection fuels division in families, communities, and nations. According to a 2023 American Psychological Association survey, 67% of people admit they experience conflict weekly—most pointing fingers at others as the cause.

But avoidance has deeper consequences. The CDC reports suicide is now the second-leading cause of death among people ages 10–34. Often, it’s not the hatred of the world that destroys people—it’s the hatred they develop for themselves when they don’t like what they see in the mirror.

Malcolm X once asked: “Who taught you to hate yourself?” That question still echoes. Many men and women today inherit cycles of shame, unresolved trauma, or rejection—teaching them self-hatred long before they understood self-worth.

🙏 The Biblical Solution

God’s Word doesn’t hide from the mirror—it commands us to face it. James 1:23–24 says, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”

Self-reflection is not just about acknowledgment—it’s about action. Real change begins when we:

1. Confess our faults before God (1 John 1:9).

2. Repent—turn away from sin, not just regret it.

3. Renew our minds daily (Romans 12:2).

4. Walk in purpose and obedience.

   
   

Legacy starts with a man or woman who refuses to deceive themselves. It starts in the mirror.

💡 Legacy and the Mirror

When you pass down blame, your children inherit excuses. When you pass down accountability, your children inherit strength.

You may not like what you see today. But change it. Start with the mirror. The life you live, the choices you make, the man you become—all echo into the future.

My tagline sums it up: “It all starts with me, so let it be legacy.”

If you want a better marriage, better finances, better children, better communities—stop pointing outward. Start inward.

Look in the mirror. Change what you see. Leave behind a legacy worth remembering.