IRON SHARPENS IRON OR CONTENTION? TOOLS OF SATAN - A WARNING TO NEWER CHRISTIANS

[sparkman]

I would like to suggest that much of what goes on, in the name of "iron sharpens iron", is really contention.

And, contention is one of the works of the flesh according to Galatians 5.

I believe that Satan works powerfully through bringing Christians (and non-Christians) together with the illusion that "iron sharpens iron" when in reality evil communication corrupts good morals (and good theology).

And, the overall environment is one that Satan can use to take away your personal peace.

Better to spend time in a REAL face-to-face fellowship locally, than to spend time arguing with people of different persuasions, or goats who claim to be believers, or unbelievers.

That's my view at this point anyways.

Examine yourself, though. Is "fellowshipping" on forums like this really adding, or taking away, from your faith? Are you exhibiting sacrificial love in real life, and spending time with your family, friends, fellow Christians in real life, or using this forum as a false substitute? Sin is deceptive. We can justify activities that are sinful, like contention, because our fallen nature still has a remnant within us, and it deceives us into thinking we're doing the Lord's work when we're really following the flesh.

Jeremiah 17:9 is one of the first verses that the Holy Spirit used to convict me of the deceitfulness of my own mind.

 

[FlyingDove]

I would like to suggest that much of what goes on, in the name of "iron sharpens iron", is really contention.

And, contention is one of the works of the flesh according to Galatians 5.

I believe that Satan works powerfully through bringing Christians (and non-Christians) together with the illusion that "iron sharpens iron" when in reality evil communication corrupts good morals (and good theology).

And, the overall environment is one that Satan can use to take away your personal peace.

Better to spend time in a REAL face-to-face fellowship locally, than to spend time arguing with people of different persuasions, or goats who claim to be believers, or unbelievers.

That's my view at this point anyways.

Examine yourself, though. Is "fellowshipping" on forums like this really adding, or taking away, from your faith? Are you exhibiting sacrificial love in real life, and spending time with your family, friends, fellow Christians in real life, or using this forum as a false substitute? Sin is deceptive. We can justify activities that are sinful, like contention, because our fallen nature still has a remnant within us, and it deceives us into thinking we're doing the Lord's work when we're really following the flesh.

Jeremiah 17:9 is one of the first verses that the Holy Spirit used to convict me of the deceitfulness of my own mind.

Proverbs 27:17: A different perspective.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Ruth & Naomi, David & Jonathan, Paul & Timotheus. Love your brother as yourself.

Titus 1:15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

 

[maxwel]

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.


The operative word here is friend.


1. This verse presupposes the person you're sharpening is your "friend."
2. Therefore, it also presupposes you would have good and loving intentions.


I don't think the crux of Proverbs 27:17 hangs upon the DEGREE OF CONTENTION,
I think it hangs upon the PRESUMPTION OF RIGHT INTENTIONS.


Therefore, like many issues in the New Testament, it's less about what we do, and more about HOW and WHY we do it.

 

[Lafftur]

I just love chatting with all of you, even the heated discussions because I do think "Iron sharpens Iron!" Go ahead, knock some of my rough edges off! LOL!

 

[7777pinacled]

Ezekiel 21:10 sharpened for the slaughter, polished to flash like lightning! "'Shall we rejoice in the scepter of my royal son? The sword despises every such stick.

 

[Blain]

Well sparkman you do have some valid points. There was a time on cc where the bdf was absolute mayhem and the word hypergracer was being thrown around and the osas debate took over the entire forums and if I were to liken it to anything it would be world war. Some like me would try to come and help everyone calm down and I asked one person why he insisted on going through all this senseless arguing and he quoted the iron sharpening iron verse.
But the thing is a lot of people were not in these fiery debates and attacking each other for the sake of sharpening iron they just loved to be in those fiery debates and using that verse as an excuse when in reality you just want to put your hand in the fire for the sake of doing it is by far not the same thing.

And as for being on this forum some of us don't have much of a choice, I can barely go anywhere and I have no other Christian family but God has used people on this forum to help me grow and learn and he has done the same vise versa

 

[DreamsOfNorthernLights]

I think that this site meets a need in many who just need to know that they are not alone in the world.
Some, for varying reasons, may not have access to fellowship and if they do, are not able to formally meaningful relationships at church.
Having said that - I do see many people waste copious amounts of time here. If the Christian walk was just about fellowship - we would all be taken to heaven immediately after conversion. But there is a lost world to reach and so we must challenge ourselves by asking if we are getting too comfortable in a Christian bubble and if so, are how can we extend ourselves and attempt great things for God.
Christian fellowship is not an end in itself but an aid to a tough journey to heaven.

Also, I personally have found that while there are many sincere and mature believers here who are precious gems, there are even more believers with a very shallow understanding of life, the world and the Word of God. Sometimes these people are very zealous in trying to persuade others of their faulty beliefs and I believe that too much exposure to sub standard theology can ruin one's appetite for the real thing.

I personally have gleaned much wisdom in areas such as romantic relationships and life in general - and just by virtue of hearing about others experiences from this site. But when it comes to deeper things of God, I tend to veer away from this site towards people and ministries where there are truth seekers who welcome questions which fall outside the narrow box many people live in.
Too often a sincere question is met with derision or a trite answer here and this is a vexation to the spirit.

 

[FlSnookman7]

I find that whether it be in this forum, in church, at work or wherever it is not the arena that dictates contention or fellowship, rather it is my attitude. It has been said the difference between ministry and manipulation is motive. I find that to be true in my walk. I must ask myself if I am here (or anywhere) looking to find fault with others or looking to uplift others. If I am uplifting then I am following Jesus' command to love one another and He takes over. I do not always hit the mark but as I grow in my walk I seem to be more successful.

Shalom.

 

[ruach]

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.


The operative word here is friend.


1. This verse presupposes the person you're sharpening is your "friend."
2. Therefore, it also presupposes you would have good and loving intentions.


I don't think the crux of Proverbs 27:17 hangs upon the DEGREE OF CONTENTION,
I think it hangs upon the PRESUMPTION OF RIGHT INTENTIONS.


Therefore, like many issues in the New Testament, it's less about what we do, and more about HOW and WHY we do it.

Proverbs 27:5-6

5 Better is open rebuke
Than love that is concealed.
[SUP]6 [/SUP]Faithful are the wounds of a friend,
But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.

 

[Depleted]

I would like to suggest that much of what goes on, in the name of "iron sharpens iron", is really contention.

And, contention is one of the works of the flesh according to Galatians 5.

I believe that Satan works powerfully through bringing Christians (and non-Christians) together with the illusion that "iron sharpens iron" when in reality evil communication corrupts good morals (and good theology).

And, the overall environment is one that Satan can use to take away your personal peace.

Better to spend time in a REAL face-to-face fellowship locally, than to spend time arguing with people of different persuasions, or goats who claim to be believers, or unbelievers.

That's my view at this point anyways.

Examine yourself, though. Is "fellowshipping" on forums like this really adding, or taking away, from your faith? Are you exhibiting sacrificial love in real life, and spending time with your family, friends, fellow Christians in real life, or using this forum as a false substitute? Sin is deceptive. We can justify activities that are sinful, like contention, because our fallen nature still has a remnant within us, and it deceives us into thinking we're doing the Lord's work when we're really following the flesh.

Jeremiah 17:9 is one of the first verses that the Holy Spirit used to convict me of the deceitfulness of my own mind.

One question for you. What should someone do if they can't fellowship IRL? (And I really mean "can't." It's a different word than "won't.")

 

[Depleted]

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.


The operative word here is friend.


1. This verse presupposes the person you're sharpening is your "friend."
2. Therefore, it also presupposes you would have good and loving intentions.


I don't think the crux of Proverbs 27:17 hangs upon the DEGREE OF CONTENTION,
I think it hangs upon the PRESUMPTION OF RIGHT INTENTIONS.


Therefore, like many issues in the New Testament, it's less about what we do, and more about HOW and WHY we do it.

Ha! That I understood! Maybe my brain is coming back. lol

 

[Depleted]

Well sparkman you do have some valid points. There was a time on cc where the bdf was absolute mayhem and the word hypergracer was being thrown around and the osas debate took over the entire forums and if I were to liken it to anything it would be world war. Some like me would try to come and help everyone calm down and I asked one person why he insisted on going through all this senseless arguing and he quoted the iron sharpening iron verse.
But the thing is a lot of people were not in these fiery debates and attacking each other for the sake of sharpening iron they just loved to be in those fiery debates and using that verse as an excuse when in reality you just want to put your hand in the fire for the sake of doing it is by far not the same thing.

And as for being on this forum some of us don't have much of a choice, I can barely go anywhere and I have no other Christian family but God has used people on this forum to help me grow and learn and he has done the same vise versa

I was here for a year (at least it felt like a year lol) of OSAS.

I was here for hypergrace up the yin and yang. (Matter of fact, I still think it's going on now.)

I don't think it is different now. I simply see lesser arguments now taking center stage. And the ones claiming "iron sharpens iron" are still arguing.

But I'm with you as to what other choice do some of us have? (Personally, I avoid the looping arguments.)

 

[Blain]

I was here for a year (at least it felt like a year lol) of OSAS.

I was here for hypergrace up the yin and yang. (Matter of fact, I still think it's going on now.)

I don't think it is different now. I simply see lesser arguments now taking center stage. And the ones claiming "iron sharpens iron" are still arguing.

But I'm with you as to what other choice do some of us have? (Personally, I avoid the looping arguments.)

Well luckily the mods cracked down on those awful subject wars it got so bad they had to make a sticky about it now that is shameful, I mean for us to act so immature and not have any kind decency or self control to simply debate in a calm and mature manner that they had to make a sticky prohibiting debates about them.... we have a lot to learn that's for sure.

And you know you can tell the motives of a person coming to bdf by the context of their usual wording, many come here simply to have fiery arguments and debates, others come here because it's the most popular forum in the entire site others still come here to learn and to grow and be used by God but if iron sharpens iron then what is that sharpened iron going to be used for?

 

[preacher4truth]

When others are doing it: Contention!

When we're doing it: Sharpening iron!

 

[Locutus]

I just use the angle grinder of covenant eschatology...

 

[stillness]

You mean a warning to teenage Christians who know it all, babes are teachable.

 

[FlSnookman7]

You mean a warning to teenage Christians who know it all, babes are teachable.

Im only 8 years in the Kingdom and I am just now realizing perhaps there is more I can learn.

 

[7777pinacled]

Ha! That I understood! Maybe my brain is coming back. lol

And there is no greater Love...................
So labor for the good soil and look forward with eyes of hope.
And remember to guard your heart

 

[James37]

I would like to suggest that much of what goes on, in the name of "iron sharpens iron", is really contention.

And, contention is one of the works of the flesh according to Galatians 5.

I believe that Satan works powerfully through bringing Christians (and non-Christians) together with the illusion that "iron sharpens iron" when in reality evil communication corrupts good morals (and good theology).

And, the overall environment is one that Satan can use to take away your personal peace.

Better to spend time in a REAL face-to-face fellowship locally, than to spend time arguing with people of different persuasions, or goats who claim to be believers, or unbelievers.

That's my view at this point anyways.

Examine yourself, though. Is "fellowshipping" on forums like this really adding, or taking away, from your faith? Are you exhibiting sacrificial love in real life, and spending time with your family, friends, fellow Christians in real life, or using this forum as a false substitute? Sin is deceptive. We can justify activities that are sinful, like contention, because our fallen nature still has a remnant within us, and it deceives us into thinking we're doing the Lord's work when we're really following the flesh.

Jeremiah 17:9 is one of the first verses that the Holy Spirit used to convict me of the deceitfulness of my own mind.

"Can two walk together, unless they be agreed?" Amos 3:3

 

[Depleted]

You mean a warning to teenage Christians who know it all, babes are teachable.

It's not the teenagers. It's the grownups!