Proverbs 27:17
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
A good friend, who is also a believer, can challenge and encourage us and hold us accountable. Because we have the same goals of seeking and following Christ, we can help each other, sometimes without even knowing the details. A friend who is like-minded in Christ will not knowingly suggest a dishonest path.
Lord God, I know you do not mean for me to only have friends who think and believe as I do. But I also hear you saying that transformative growth will come from Christians helping one another. Thank you for my friends who are like me and unlike me. Help me to grow. Amen
Becky, transforming
Proverbs 27:17
As I read this verse, it reminded me of a time when I didn’t rely on friends sharpening me. I took on a project and decided I could do it myself—at least until I realized I couldn’t. A committee of my coworkers could have added not only time but ideas from different viewpoints on how to proceed. I learned the hard way that involving others sharpened each of us. They brought clarity to a problem and we were all “sharpened” because of it.
Prayer: Gracious God, May we remember to involve others to help “sharpen” each other as we work on a solution. Amen
Thursday,May 16th, 2024
Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Iron sharpening iron indicates at least two pieces of iron. It would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the other. If left isolated, both blades would be dull and quite useless. Just as steel sharpens steel, one friend sharpens another. We've all had the experience of friends who inspire us to be better than we are, and friends who don't. It is much better to accept Godly advice from someone we know, someone we love, and someone we know that cares about us, than it is from a stranger or simple acquaintance. We want to know that the person giving us this advice has…
Proverbs 27:17
This verse is very frequently quoted in men’s ministry contexts. In fact, it was a theme of a season of stadium events during the “Promise Keepers” movement, active from the late eighties to about 2005. A friend worthy of the name is also an accountability partner. Anyone who would let a friend make rash or foolish decisions or engage in actions that put them at significant risk without making an effort to influence them to do otherwise should question how much they value that friendship and love their friend. Friendship is active, not passive and should always be the proverbial two-way Street of mutual caring and concern.
Prayer - Lord, thank You for the gift of “2AM friends.”…