BE SHARPENED AND SHARPEN!
BE SHARPENED AND SHARPEN!
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. —Proverbs 27:17
To sharpen a knife, you need a sharpening implement. Iron does not sharpen iron by itself. A knife cannot sharpen itself by itself. It needs some other device for that. Knives, in isolation, cannot be sharpened.
So it is with followers of Jesus. They were never meant to be isolated from one another and they surely were not meant to be isolated from the assembly. That is why we are told to “consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25). We need each other to be sharpened up. We are commanded to—
- Consider each other
- Consider how we may spur each other on
- Consider how we may spur each other on to love
- Consider how we may spur each other on to love and good deeds
- Not give up meeting together
- Encourage each other
- Do all this all the more as we see the Day of His return approaching
I was once in a conversation with someone and they said, “I don’t need you to teach me!” This person wanted to be a piece of “iron” isolated. We actually do need each other to be sharpened. I need others and others need me. That is how our Lord has designed His body, the church. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (I Corinthians 12:7). What God has given you and what God has given me is to be utilized for the common good of others. We do need each other to sharpen each other up!
It is a dangerous place for a follower of Jesus to isolate themselves from the body of Christ. Proverbs 18:1 says, “Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.” Those who isolate themselves from others are seeking to do their own thing. Not only that, but they do not listen to sound judgment. They actually speak against all sound judgment.
So, how are you sharpening others up? Or, are you isolated, filled with your own desires, speaking against sound judgment… becoming rusty and dull? Dear Father, may we allow You to work through us to sharpen others up and may we be open to allow You to work through others to sharpen us up. Oh, that we would not isolate ourselves from other believers, but seek to be with them. May this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus. So may it be for Your honor and glory. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pu2S9y3r0XE