By: Pastor Brian Horrobin
I like what it says in Proverbs 27:17: “Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” In other words, we stand much to gain if we will let others input into our lives. Sometimes this input comes in the form of encouragement and compliments, what I like to call ‘soul candy.’
Who out there doesn’t like being told they are good at something, or having someone cheer you on as you seek to complete your race? However, some input really is like iron striking against iron with sparks flying and friction galore. Rebuke and correction are like that. They are tough pills to swallow and most of us tend to choke on them.
But how does one ever grow and improve if they are not open to having their mistakes corrected? If we bristle at challenges to our set ways we can’t move forward. Without the friction of iron against iron a tool remains dull and ineffective. Sure, it takes work to make a tool sharp but the effort is worth it when we see the outcome of this process.
Our lives need sharpening, too, and God uses other people to do the sharpening, including those who rub us the wrong way. Before you get too touchy with me on this subject, remember: you might be one of those abrasive tools that God is using to sharpen someone else. Sharpening works both ways.
