As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. ~ Proverbs 27:17 NIV

“Iron sharpens iron” – It reminds me of Dad’s whetstone.  My father would spend hours in the evenings sharpening kitchen or hunting knives with a small rectangular block of stone called a whetstone.

Dad rhythmically ran the blade over the stone – back and forth – sometimes spitting on the stone to moisten it.  He tried to teach me how to do it by giving me my own whetstone and knife to practice with (sharpening my iron with his iron), but I never developed the skill to his level of expertise.  That means that I can’t sharpen a knife to save my life!  But Dad played that sharpening stone like a musical instrument.  Sometimes he would hum a tune as he worked.  Then test every blade he sharpened by shaving the hair on his arm with it.  Or he would slice a thin sheet of paper with it.   Then he would commence to sharpening it some more.  Dad repeated this process two or three times before he was satisfied that the blade was really, really sharp.  Then he would grin just a little bit.

Have you ever had a friend or mentor who helps you solve problems, bone up for exams, or takes you to a higher level just by sharing ideas?

I think God wants us to live well by instructing us to have good friends.  Their wise counsel can sometimes spare us from making mistakes.  And of course, our best forever friend is Jesus.  Jesus is definitely The Iron that I want to sharpen my iron.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.            ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NIV

Regularly meeting with a sounding board friend or group of friends, i.e. Bible Study Group, can help sharpen our focus on understanding our world, each other, and God’s Word.  The way we think, work, sing, dance, worship, or learn can be influenced by our friends.

As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.ª  ~ Proverbs 27:19 NIV

ª Or so others reflect your heart back to you. (emphasis added)

What is the condition of your heart?  Follow Jesus.  Choose friends wisely.  Live well.

“Thank You, Lord, for You are good; and Your love endures forever”.

And THANK YOU READER for following

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PC: Male hands sharpening large hunting knife with whetstone by © Can Stock Photo / alltatts