A sharpened life (part 2)
Last time, we looked at a commonly known verse that led us to some new insights about ourselves and our relationships:
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens another.
Within the context of Proverbs, the sharpening that Solomon refers to is to become wise, to become skilled at life in a manner that is pleasing to God. However, we can also learn a few things about becoming wise by thinking about the physical process of sharpening:
First, sharpening cannot be done with just one piece of iron. Similarly, growing wise does not happen when a believer is flying solo, either. We need other believers in our lives to sharpen us.
The Hebrew word for another means neighbor, friend, companion, or associate. Read the proverb again, but slowly, and think about what it says with that definition:
Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens their neighbor.
and one person sharpens their friend.
and one person sharpens their companion.
and one person sharpens their associate.
Each of these imply a relationship between two people, a stranger does not have the same sharpening effect on an individual’s life. We know that is true from our own experience. A godly friend who speaks regularly into our lives has a greater impact than a stranger who gives me a piece of his mind, or a speaker heard once at a conference, or even a pastor that preaches to me for 25 minutes every week.
The sharpening impact comes out of the relationship with another.
Secondly, sharpening isn’t a painless process. There are sparks involved. Whenever damaged or dulled sections of a blade are sharpened, iron is being forcefully removed or reshaped in order to make a useful, sharp edge.
Similarly, the sharpening process between two people isn’t always easy. If I’m not willing to hear their encouragement to make the wise choice, or if I don’t want to accept their challenge of my thoughts and attitude – then sparks are going to fly between us.
Another parallel to note is that when the sharpening process happens, the piece doing the sharpening is working with – and not against – the piece being sharpened. It’s important for us to work with each other instead of trying to completely remake the person we’re partnering with.
Do you have someone in your life that you have given verbal permission to sharpen you? In order to apply Solomon’s wisdom, we must give someone permission to speak into our life AND we must be willing to work with them.
Are we willing to undergo the sharpening process? That can be a hard question to wrestle with, especially since we know our major dull areas that need sharpening. If you are hesitant (even a little), pray that God gives you the correct attitude.
Keep Pressing,
Ken