Iron Sharpens What?
We've all heard this verse applied to situations where we need to be coached, taught a lesson, or supported in some way by another believer in Christ. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
Recently, I've been sitting on this verse a little differently. I've had to ask myself a simple question: Am I iron?
It would seem that those doing the sharpening, and those being sharpened, must both be iron if the process is going to work as designed. I can't imagine another metaphor working very well. As iron sharpens butter? As iron sharpens silly putty? It doesn't work. Everyone in the equation has to be iron.
So the question becomes, am I iron? What am I made of? How firm is my foundation of belief? Is it firm enough to handle the blunt force of being sharpened? How sharp is my chisel?
Am I giving my faith and my relationship with Christ enough priority to be slowly, but surely, becoming more and more like Jesus? Is that relationship growing? Is the Holy Spirit taking up more space in my heart so that I can assist and guide my fellow iron workers in their faith walk with Jesus?
These are real questions. I've sat with them. I'd encourage you to do the same.
Sharpening Isn't Always Comfortable
I'd like to give you a couple of practical examples of what this looks like in my own life. Neither of these ideas did I create. I'm simply benefiting from them today.
The first comes from Dr. Duke Heller. Doc has said to me more than once, "It's impossible to keep your integrity without accountability." He advocates very strongly for every man and woman to have a true accountability partner. Someone you trust who can sharpen you, and someone you love enough to truthfully sharpen.
I now review these questions every week with another brother in Christ:
Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?
Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?
Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material on the Internet?
Have you lusted after any woman other than your wife with your eyes or thoughts?
Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?
Have you given your family priority time?
Have you handled hurt and frustration well this week?
Have you started a Kingdom conversation this week? Tell me about it.
How have you handled pride and selfishness this past week?
Did you have a date with your wife this week?
Have you just lied to me?
Wow.
That obviously requires a lot of trust. But for two people who are made of iron, there is no escaping the sharpening that takes place during those weekly conversations.
Sharpening is real. It's not soft. It starts in the fire. The fire softens your heart, and then it stings when the truth strikes. But we come out refined and more prepared for the spiritual battle ahead.
That is what I think Proverbs is getting at. We aren't called to simply make each other feel better. We aren't called to tell each other what we want to hear. We are called to sharpen one another. And that requires both people to be willing to be sharpened.
Sharpening Doesn't Always Happen One on One
There is another form of sharpening I've noticed more and more recently. It doesn't always happen in a one on one conversation.
Just this past week, I've heard of several group prayer and fasting sessions happening around hardships and opportunities in the lives of brothers and sisters in Christ. Looming decisions. Difficult scenarios. Potential opportunities. Major shifts. Uncertainty about what comes next.
Instead of trying to figure it all out alone, people are calling on other believers to fast, pray, and lift those uncertainties before the Lord.
That is powerful.
We need each other. There is clarity that comes with the presence of the Holy Spirit. There is strength when the body of Christ comes together. And sometimes the sharpening we need isn't a hard conversation. Sometimes it is simply having another brother or sister stand beside us in the battle and say, "I'm with you. I'm praying. I'm fasting. We're going to seek the Lord together."
Don't be afraid to call on the other iron workers. When there is a decision to make, invite them in. When there is a battle to fight, ask them to pray. When there is an opportunity in front of you, ask them to seek God with you. When you are struggling, don't hide. And when someone else comes to you, don't be afraid to pick up the hammer and the chisel.
Because this is what we are called to do for one another.
Iron sharpens iron.
One person sharpens another.
But before we ask who is sharpening us, perhaps we should ask a more important question: Am I iron?
Am I strong enough in my foundation to receive correction? Am I humble enough to hear the truth? Am I close enough to Jesus that I can help someone else get closer to Him? Am I becoming more like Christ? Is the Holy Spirit taking up more and more space in my heart?
If the answer is yes, then keep sharpening. Keep being sharpened. Keep showing up. Keep telling the truth. Keep praying. Keep fighting the good fight together.
Because we were never meant to walk this road alone.
Let's be iron for each other.
-Mark