Proverbs 27:17 says, "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." (NASB)
Have you sharpened anyone recently? I'd like to think I've helped sharpen others once or twice. I write blog posts because, in addition to having an incessant desire to write my ideas, I want to inspire others to think and perhaps in doing so, sharpen them as well. Part of my calling to ministry likely includes apologetics and teaching which are both great ways of sharpening others. But in informal, personal time with friends and family, maybe there's an opportunity to sharpen someone else.
Let's flip this around. How have you been sharpened recently? Were there any pastors that said something which caused you to consider your beliefs or behaviors? Or there could have been a thread on this message board that opened your eyes to something you hadn't considered before. Although I may be used as the sharpening tool, there are still a lot of times when I am the one on the receiving end. By interacting with Christians and non-Christians alike I see where I am strong, where I am weak, and what kind of changes I need to make. I like a good intellectual sharpening, since that's my primary strength. There have been times in the past where I would try to see what an opposing side believes. Not so much to adopt their beliefs but so I could widen my knowledge base, expand my horizons, and get a better view of what's going on around me.
Sometimes being sharpened doesn't feel good. That scraping away of an old habit we need to quit, a peeling off of an attitude, or realizing there's still some sin in our life. We don't always want to be made aware of the things that need to be cut out of our lives. But, as brothers and sisters in Christ, that's what we're called to do. It's our Christian duty to sharpen each other, because we are all aiming for the same goal - Heaven. And God calls us to help ensure we all get there. A process which includes edifying each other, a spiritual sharpening.
Have you sharpened anyone recently? I'd like to think I've helped sharpen others once or twice. I write blog posts because, in addition to having an incessant desire to write my ideas, I want to inspire others to think and perhaps in doing so, sharpen them as well. Part of my calling to ministry likely includes apologetics and teaching which are both great ways of sharpening others. But in informal, personal time with friends and family, maybe there's an opportunity to sharpen someone else.
Let's flip this around. How have you been sharpened recently? Were there any pastors that said something which caused you to consider your beliefs or behaviors? Or there could have been a thread on this message board that opened your eyes to something you hadn't considered before. Although I may be used as the sharpening tool, there are still a lot of times when I am the one on the receiving end. By interacting with Christians and non-Christians alike I see where I am strong, where I am weak, and what kind of changes I need to make. I like a good intellectual sharpening, since that's my primary strength. There have been times in the past where I would try to see what an opposing side believes. Not so much to adopt their beliefs but so I could widen my knowledge base, expand my horizons, and get a better view of what's going on around me.
Sometimes being sharpened doesn't feel good. That scraping away of an old habit we need to quit, a peeling off of an attitude, or realizing there's still some sin in our life. We don't always want to be made aware of the things that need to be cut out of our lives. But, as brothers and sisters in Christ, that's what we're called to do. It's our Christian duty to sharpen each other, because we are all aiming for the same goal - Heaven. And God calls us to help ensure we all get there. A process which includes edifying each other, a spiritual sharpening.
