Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs 27:17

Friday, Feb. 10, 2012 Posted: 10:59:38AM HKT

In Pro 27:17 we read, “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”. The ministry of disciple-making involves people who are involved with one another. Inevitably, there will be friction and misunderstanding.. People seeking to influence others to become disciples cannot but be involved in spiritual surgery. There is often a need to address issues relating to integrity, character weaknesses and personal life choices involving key decisions like life partners and vocations. Many are reluctant to discuss them. But the Scriptures advocated in 2 Tim 3:16 “All Scriptures is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction and for training in righteousness.”

The Word of God is to be the glaring spotlight for which our lives are to undergo scrutiny. Is there room in our lives for reproof, correction and training in righteousness? Who is going to help us do that?

There are those who are helping us to become disciples and who loved us enough to confront us with the Word of God. There might be pain in discipline but afterwards comes the peaceable fruit of righteousness.

I had the privilege of reproof and correction by leaders who cared for my welfare and was concerned that my life stands up under the scrutiny of the Word of God. They loved me enough to confront me with probing questions and helped me measure myself against my understanding of Scriptural injunctions. They risked the possibility of putting our relationship under strain. In fact, few and far in between are those who loved us enough to confront us in truth. Truly in such a way, will we be sharpened as “iron sharpens iron”.

Pro 27:6 states, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted but an enemy multiplies kisses”. Few are those who could care enough to say truthful words that might hurt us. But it is all easy to collect untruthful praises. Hence we truly treasure those who sharpen our lives, as special blessings for those who pay the price to keep this kind of relationships.

Yap Kim Meng is the current Director Missions and Director Alumni of The Navigators, Singapore. The article originally appeared in 'Yakkety-Yak From The Yappies' and is reproduced here with permission.

Yap Kim Meng