The Iron Sharpens Iron Truth…

There is an interesting and convicting illustration of both a stronger form of

mutual affection in association and accountability that passes the natural

relationship. The carnal mind cannot learn this, and it is one of the hardest

things for the worldly to comprehend. It is a spiritual truth spoken from

inspiration that is intent upon bringing forth a more effective reasoning with

God between two human relationships. Discernment can see the

connections to life that this principle contains.

Proverbs 27:17

Hear first the acknowledgment that the one becomes sharper with the

presence of the other. The interaction of the two is worthwhile only when

truth is loved and the desire to improve not self-centered. This interaction

creates a spark that when blown upon by the Holy Spirit becomes a fire for

God. It is God’s people questioning, encouraging, counseling, and

challenging each other. We strengthen our faith and improve our characters.

Even our attitude and outward expressions show a faithful countenance in

God.

Proverbs 27:5, 6

Hear how man’s best friend loved those he came to save presents truth in

love. If we know this concept to be true, we are able to receive the counsel

of one who has a godly appreciation of heart for our interest.

Matthew 23:13-39

We can choose to rub off the hard edges. There are times when sharpening

conversations can come across as harsh, mean, or judgmental. But if there

is peace and love motivating the care between two, let others observe.

Emotion must be vacant in our accountability. Iron sharpening iron requires

a level of accountability or a personal inclination guided by the spirit of God

to allow significant others to come close enough into our lives so as to see

the vulnerability. The principle of accountability is our consent for another to

come close in helpful and real conversations that grow out of growing and

loving in Christlikeness for the truth is this…that both irons become better for

the service of God from the presence of that which truly sharpens.

Hebrews 4:12

God can and will use the “iron sharpening iron” process for His people to

help us in our walk for Him. But, most certainly God will use the convicting

power of His Holy Spirit and the word of God to rebuke us of the sinful and

harmful practices that we hold on to in our lives. And the most needed tool

for the sharpening is the Word of God. Words are singularly the most

powerful force available to humanity. We can choose to use this force

constructively with words of encouragement, or destructively using words of

despair. Words have energy and power with the ability to help, to heal, to

hinder, to hurt, to harm, to humiliate and to humble. Imagine reading the bible

as a matter-of-fact document in a neutral tone. Now, imagine reading the

word of God with a subjective tone that describes approaches, judgments,

or beliefs. The details are likely to include experiences, senses, thoughts,

and comprehension. The subjective is personal, commanding a higher level

of expression. Tone reflects both the attitude and the purpose of reasoning

together. The word of God is given us that we might reason with Him. The

word informs us of truth and convinces us of obedience. Spiritually mature

followers of Christ hear truth and the tone carries the consideration and

appreciation for God’s mindfulness in our growth. Words of truth and

enthusiastic tones give shape and life to solidifying peace and compassion

between the irons as character is merited.

God never just points out weaknesses without providing a solution. God’s

word will help us to go on living “in righteousness.” It is with the strongest of

earnestness that we never dull the word of God with human passion. We are

to exhort one another into a closer walk with our Lord. But our walk must stay

us in the Word of God where our loving and gracious heavenly Father gives

us truth strategies that we may be overcomers. As the body of Christ, the

people of God, we remember that part of our job is to sharpen other brothers

and sisters in Christ so that the flame in their hearts, put there by the Holy

Spirit, continues to burn. And hopefully it will not be able to be contained in

their lives. But in this emotionally centered world this is viewed as “hard

sayings”. Fear replaces caring concern to speak truth into each others’ lives.

Fear of fiery deliberation keeps those who say they are of God from being

as though they are. Some are not familiar with the scenario whereby the Holy

Spirit produces fire in the bones.

SOP - Whenever the message of truth comes home to souls with special

power, Satan stirs up his agents to start a dispute over some minor question.

Thus he seeks to attract attention from the real issue. Whenever a good work

is begun, there are cavilers ready to enter into dispute over forms or

technicalities, to draw minds away from the living realities. When it appears

that God is about to work in a special manner for His people, let them not be

enticed into a controversy that will work only ruin of souls. The questions that

most concern us are, Do I believe with saving faith on the Son of God? Is my

life in harmony with the divine law? “He that believeth on the Son hath

everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life.” “And

hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.” John

3:36; 1 John 2:3. {DA 396.3}

Let’s examine further depths of querying points affecting God’s wisdom of

iron sharpening iron. Please note how many irons are mentioned. Right and

wrong can be debated. Left and right can be reversed. Yea and nay are

discernible. Black and white are shades. Divine timing…is it right or wrong

to take a life, is left and right the same in every direction, can yea and nay

answer the same question, can black be white in monochrome? Divine timing

is a determinant for righteousness. Everything good happens in divine

timing. It is before human awareness. It is when human injection or non-

spiritual influence is favored. When divine timing is trusted and believed it

can make a huge difference. It takes spiritual practice to trust more in divine

timing than in what you think or feel. Because what you think or feel is of you.

There is always a lesson that can be learned from everything. And to do the

right thing at the wrong time may cause a stumbling or even a complete fall.

God does not let any thing happen that does not first go through Him. Not

through “a you”, but Him. There are many who think when things are not

going as they think they should interfere. Their perception may be 100% on,

but their timing may not allow the sharpening to take place. Know the signs

of divine timing. Patience allows things to come to fruition. Now understand,

please do not use divine timing for spiritual bypassing. If you use any

reference to you as cause for your injection then you divert the time. If you

are not an iron…wait on the Lord. Any action taken must be inspired so as

to be void of private interpretation. Know that in the iron sharpening the iron

is needed force and heat. And certainly know that it is the refiner that wields

the force and the spirit the heat. Know that the refiner uses one as the

hammer to smooth out the rough texture of resistance of the other. The only

way to sharpen an iron is to use an iron with a different edge or texture, and

that is an important point. Although believers often emphasize the “like iron”

part of this verse as meaning two similarly strong believers, this verse does

not promote uniformity. The iron that sharpens iron must be wielded by the

same refiner yet different in function.

Desire that God encourages you to surround yourself with strong believers

who can sharpen you, as well as those who are different enough to shape

you by means of friction. That is to say, we need friends whose wisdom,

whose willingness to say difficult things, or whose different perspectives will

provide the grit with which God can remove dull edges. This may mean

exposing ourselves to differing manner of voices. Everyone in the camp can’t

some cannot see what motivates the affection coming from other tents. In

some cases it may take a “tribe”. Be patient, allow the process to do its work.

Let God choose how much friction is needed to do that in my life that I will

be a “tool” that is fit for His use. If all iron is alike wherein is the sharpening

made possible? Surrounding ourselves with godly people who serve in our

lives both as encouragers and correctors is a good thing. They may be used

to sharpen our lives by faithfully helping us see some of the rough areas that

are not yet as well-honed as God wants them to be. When we have one or

more of these people in our life, we ought to thank God that He has seen fit

to bring them to us to help sharpen us into tools that fit for God’s purposes.

May we be as strong as iron in our faith and yet different enough to be a

sanctifying friend in the life. May we be of a mutual action giving advantage

to one another. May our functioning be as a two-edged sword for God.