TWO FRIENDS WHO BRING THEIR IDEAS TOGETHER CAN HELP EACH OTHER BECOME SHARPER.
“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another” (Proverbs 27:17)There is a mental sharpness that comes from being around good people. And a meeting of minds can help people see their ideas with new clarity. Refine them, and shape them into brilliant insights. This requires discussion partners who can challenge each other and stimulate thought—people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker.
The verse is interesting because Solomon is saying that iron is sharpening iron. Usually a whetstone, which was abrasive stone used in sharpening knives or other edged tools, was the instrument to use. I think the point that Solomon is making is two people, having the same nature, both iron, can sharpen each other’s mind, help each other to grow and be in tune to the things that are going on around them. And yes, they can even help each other to move in the right direction, to stay on track, to walk away from sin and towards God. And even if sparks do fly, if both sides are open to the truth, those sparks will not be deadly but will result in each instrument, each person becoming sharper in the Lord and their walk with Him.
Here’s a great acronym using the word SHARP that speaks so completely to this verse: SPIRIT—HEED—ADMONISH—REBUKE—PREPARE.
Here is a principle, when violated, causes people to stumble in their walk with God. That principle is the gathering together or assembling together of believers. Why is that so important? Because we stir each other up, encourage each other to use the gifts that God has given us. What happens when you stir up the embers of a fire? It causes those embers to explode into flames, a fire is rekindled. When you admonish or encourage someone it fires them up, love explodes from them. They feel they can walk on water, take on the world in Christ. I truly believe that as we admonish, edify, build each other up, it will keep us Sharp in our walk with God.
There are times when some of us need to be rebuked. However, many times we ignore this. We tend to not want to offend anyone, or make anyone mad or cause anyone to leave the church, so we tiptoe around like nothing is wrong. In 1 Timothy 5:20, “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, which the rest also may fear.”
You see, not only are you trying to get the person who is sinning back on track, but you are also using this as an object lesson for others so they will not follow down the same path. We read in Hebrews 3:12-13, “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called today, lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.” Sin must be dealt with or a person’s heart will become hard, insensitive to the things of God. If a person is in sin, and they are confronted with it, admonished to turn away from it, and they refuse, by fellowshipping with them you are encouraging them to continue, in their sin and as others see what you are doing, they see you condoning this action. Paul wants us t be clear on this, if they refuse to repent and get right with God, warn them, and don’t keep company with them.
The reason many are so dull today is they don’t take the time that is needed to sharpen their lives. Do you want to be sharp? Then get into God’s Word, let it fill your life and overflow in your actions as you admonish others to do the same, giving your own life as an example for them. Sometimes we need to be shocked back into reality with the truth, and for some, it sharpens them, and for others, they will continue being dull, refusing to allow iron to sharpen iron.
Don’t forget the acronym, SHARP, to help keep us ready, alert at all times. Let the SPIRIT of God speak to your heart. HEED what God is telling you. ADMONISH others in the body of Christ to forge ahead. REBUKE those that are transgressing God’s Word. And PREPARE your mind by fellowshipping and sharing the things of God with others. May that be your heart’s desire!
Each of us has times in life when things come upon us that we wouldn’t choose to go through, but we, nevertheless, find we have to go through. It is at times like that we need true friends. True friends who will encourage us and help us do wha we have to do by supporting us in the midst of it all. Oftentimes, we just need to be there for someone, even if we don’t say anything.
Encouragement means coming alongside to impart courage to another. This is what a true friend does for us when we find ourselves facing things that we have to go through, whether we like it or not. They come alongside us to lend support to us. A friend is someone who tells you the truth about you. Proverbs 27:6 says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend.” A true friend tells you what you ought to know and then helps you do what you ought to do to correct it. We all have things in our lives that need to be addressed in order that we might be the success that God has in mind for us to bl. Often, it will involve life change or character development. A true friend will help us. Always be willing to put your life on the line for your friends. Seek to relate to others in your life in such a way that you bring support, strength, and success to them! We all need a friend to help us stay sharp in Jesus.
Have you ever thought about the people you have known in your life time, about how they have influenced you? Who is in your life that keeps you sharp for God? If your answer is no one, then how do you find someone that you can rely on to help you along your spiritual journey—someone to keep you sharp as a Christian to become the person that Jesus desires you to be?
So, who’s keeping you sharp these days? How are your daily devotions? Who asks you tough questions? Most of us have casual acquaintances that pass in and out of our lives and though our lives are impacted by all of our relationships, the greatest influence comes from those we call close friends. Our friends either help us become and stay sharp or they facilitate our becoming and remaining dull. If you want to know what kind of a person you are becoming, then ask yourself: “Who are my friends?” We tend to become like those we associate with. We can get dull again real quick—stick close to that person who is keeping you sharp. We can’t go it alone. Everyone needs a friend to get through the difficult times. Ask yourself, “Who can sharpen me and who can I sharpen?”
Sharpen one another daily and watch one another’s backs. Where are you within the race of life? Do you have a battle buddy helping you along the way keeping you sharp as iron or have you found yourself feeling a bit dull? It is never too late to re-sharpen! Who you gang with can determine your destiny. Choose wisely and your greatest imagination can be realized. Choose unwisely and you can live a nightmare for a lifetime!
Just as you tried to cut something and found that your knife or scissors were dull—you sharpen the instrument and think to yourself—Wow, why didn’t I get this done earlier—is is GREAT!
