As Iron Sharpens Iron

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 27:17

This is a very short verse of scripture, but it packs a strong punch.

Everyone knows, two heads are better then one. A good friend will encourage you to grow in the Lord and develop Godly character. Although you may not have the same personalities, they will always help you see life from a different perspective and help you to grow in a positive way.

However this verse is also a doubled edged sword.

When you watch someone sharpen a knife, you watch in fascination as steel scrapes steel until the knife is razor sharp. And you know that it is important that no one else sharpens the knife—accept the one who owns the knife.

When you sharpen a knife, you use a unique rhythm that wears away the metal, making the blade sharper and sharper. If you let someone else sharpen the knife, they have a totally different rhythm that will dull the knife instead.

Some people may do a real good job sharpening you, but others may just dull your blade.

Do your family and friends help sharpen or dull you?

Do you help sharpen your family and friends or do you dull them?