“Iron Sharpens Iron”

Friday, January 10, 2020

Have you ever tried to cut vegetables with a dull knife? It can be extremely difficult for sure.  Recently, when my in laws were visiting, my mother-in-law was in our kitchen helping to peel potatoes for a meal with a knife that was dull.  She asked, “Do you have a knife that is sharp that I can use?” Instead of getting another knife I got my knife sharpener and put an edge back on the knife which allowed my mother-in-law to finish the task.      

It is this very idea that the Proverb writer uses in Proverbs 27:17 to express the important role that is needed to sharpen the character of others.  In order for iron to be sharpened it implies there must be two pieces of iron and they must use one another to get sharp. It would be impossible for one piece of iron to be sharpened on its own without the help of the other.  Alone, both pieces of iron remain dull. 

This process helps us to gain, maintain, and achieve greater spiritual growth and fruit bearing in the Kingdom.  What is required in order for this to happen is there must be two positive and encouraging relationships to sharpen one another.  One that is focused on helping the other to be stronger, active, and moving forward. We all need faithful and spiritually mature friends to help us put on a sharp edge spiritually . 

So, who is that person for you?  Do you have one? Are you a solid piece of iron for someone else?  Remember, it takes two! Find one, be one, and bless one’s countenance to be sharper spiritually. 

“As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” — Proverbs 27:17

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