Sharpening Iron
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpening iron, implies at least two pieces of iron are involved. It’s impossible for one piece to become sharper without the presence of the other. Left alone, both would be dull and useless.
This simple and well quoted passage in Proverbs does something helpful for us. It illustrates an important biblical principle that we should apply in our daily lives. God expects us to live and serve in a community of other believers, and He desires for us to build loving and growing relationships with others.
The passage shows the similarity of the interaction between two faithful friends who are seeking the improvement of one another. Just as in history you would sharpen the face of your sword against a sharpening iron in order to make it more suitable for battle, in the same way we can equip a friend for success with useful counsel, advice, or correction.
To give a tool the desired sharpness took time in the ancient world. You needed to provide purposeful, and careful striking of the tool against the other. The process lasted longer than just a matter of seconds. This proverb is pointing us to the importance of the staying power in our friendships and relationships.
A person does not sharpen another with just one speech or a single conversation, though words spoken at the right time can go a long way in helping improve another person. What I believe scripture is modelling for us through this verse is that we are to sharpen one another over time. Through years of friendship, including all of the ins and outs that come with enduring relationships.
A truly valuable friend is faithful over a long time to offer their criticism and instruction, and they do not give up the first time their friend does not listen to their advice.
Personal and spiritual growth is meant to be done with a community. Growth is meant for the church community. Scripture shows us many examples of this. Like in the beginning, God did not make just one human being but two (Gen. 1:26–27). Then later on in scripture we see David had Nathan the prophet, a faithful friend who brought him to repentance (2 Sam. 12:1–15). We all need others in our lives to sharpen us and encourage us in living the life of a believer. Whether they help show us the mistakes in life we are making or are encouraging us when we are growing in the right ways.
If you do not have people like this in your life, you should be looking for them. You should also be in prayer asking the Lord to help develop you into the type of person who can offer such insight and guidance into others, and to enable you to persist in love toward your friends and others.
Are you involved and serving in the church? Are you regularly with a group of people who are challenging you in your walk with God. A group of people who will come along with you when things are tough and help you grow and know God. As I end here let me throw in a plug for our Life Groups here at Trentside. These are great places of iron sharpening iron.