TALENTED AND SKILLED HANDS (3)

“AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” – Proverbs 27:17

Companionship, friendship, and partnership are avenues for sharpening TALENTED and SKILLED HANDS: “AS IRON SHARPENS IRON, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Pro..27:17). The book of Proverbs is filled with wisdom and counsel about how to live godly lives, not only as individuals, but also as collectives motivating each other to grow in our walks with God. This scripture depicts two iron rods rubbing together, creating friction. As the friction increases, the heat between them rises, producing a spark. Although it may be uncomfortable for the rods to rub in that way, the spark that results, when fanned, becomes a flame that could hardly be contained.

As the Body of Christ, part of our responsibility is to sharpen other brethren so that the flame in their hearts and the talents and skills in their hands, put there by the Holy Spirit, continues to burn. The concept of “iron sharpening iron” obviously implies at least two pieces of iron. It would be impossible for one tool to become sharper without the presence of the other. Left isolated, both blades would be dull and quite useless. There is always a mutual advantage when two iron edges are rubbed together. The blades become sharpened, causing the cutting edge to become more effective. The tools become better prepared to fulfil the functions they were designed and purposed for.

For believers in Christ, the Holy Spirit convicts and the Word of God sharpens: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb.4:12). God’s Word can judge the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. It takes both the Spirit of God and His Word for us to sharpen one another. God can and will use the “iron sharpening iron” process of good friends to help us in our walk for Him. He can even use the faithful “wounds of a friend” to sharpen us, motivate us, and provide some accountability for our lives (Pro.6:4).

Although God uses the convicting power of His Holy Spirit and the Word of God to rebuke us of the sinful and harmful practices in our lives, He does not just point out weaknesses without providing a solution. His Word will help us “correct” the problem and provide the step-by-step instructions in righteousness: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (1 Tim.3: 16-17). Here, we find unique progression steps: Biblical principles are “profitable” for “doctrine,” or systematic teaching of God’s Word, but His Word is also beneficial for three other things “reproof, correction, (and) instruction in righteousness.” 

The text also implies that we need continuous communion with one another. Humankind was not created for an isolated or solitary life.  Obviously, this principle was understood and practised by leaders of the early church who dedicated themselves to teaching, fellowship, communion, and prayer, all pursuits that presented opportunities for sharpening one another: “And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers….So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart” (Acts 2: 42, 46).

‘Iron sharpens iron’ means that we make each other better people, especially when following the teachings of the Bible and pursuing virtue as our ultimate intent. God expects us to live and serve in a community of other believers (Heb.10:25). He also desires for us to build loving, growing, positive, and accountable relationships (1The.2:8). We must highly value and build relationships with other Christ-followers who can exhort us to a closer walk with Him, but these relationships and the resulting conversations and discussions must drive us back to the Word of God where our loving and gracious Heavenly Father gives us true life-changing strategies.