For several years, I read The New Century Version of the Bible. An easy-to-understand translation, small and compact, and great for taking along when I traveled. It’s filled with underlined verses and notes in the margins.
Sadly; this Bible eventually fell part from years of use. That tattered Bible is one of my treasured possessions. I love the book of Proverbs. It’s filled with wisdom from the Lord, and His wisdom is timeless. Never gets old.
One morning while reading through Proverbs 27, verse 17 grabbed my attention: “As iron sharpens iron, so people can improve each other.” I read Proverbs 27:17 countless of time before. And it donned on me that I really didn’t understand its meaning. Instead of looking it up on the Internet, I would simply ask the Lord; the true Source of all knowledge.
I grabbed a piece of note paper and wrote the date on the top right-hand corner. November 16/14. I didn’t want to miss a word of what He told me regarding the meaning of Proverbs 27:17.
Here’s exactly what was written on that note:
I ask, “Lord, how?”
“By listening; being compassionate; being loving; being forgiving; being patient; being kind; being giving; being encouraging; being accepting of others; loving them as they are, accepting their faults. That’s all for now. This is a good place to start. You will find ways yourself on how to improve your life and that of others. Bless you, My Child”
“Bless You, Father.”
Twelve years have passed and I still have that note, because it’s a Word from God to me. I love how He said, “That’s all for now. It’s a good place to start.” Yes, it was a good place to start, and over the years, He’s expanded my knowledge on Proverbs 27:17.
Iron sharpens iron – this implies there’s two pieces of iron. Logic tells me that when left alone both blades become dull and useless. A transformation takes place when one piece of iron is used to sharpen the other. Now both pieces of iron are sharp and ready for their intended purpose.
Let’s compare these two pieces of iron to people. God created us to be in relationship with Him and others.
Without God and other people in our lives, we will become dull and useless. God has an intended purpose for each of our lives, and it’s always for our good.
Has a family member or friend ever given you a piece of advice that would make a huge difference in your life? Maybe it was something you didn’t want to hear. Yet knew in your heart, it was for your own good.
The opposite holds true. Maybe it was you who felt compelled to speak up about an issue that needed to be addressed, knowing it might not be received well.
Has God ever convicted you of a wrong doing before it happened? You knew in your spirit that something was wrong in what you were about to say or do. The Bible tells us that God chastises those He loves, and always for our good.
These are examples of how the iron sharpens iron principle can work in our life and that of others. Perhaps as you read this post, other examples will come to mind.
Let’s read Proverbs 27:17 again; “As iron sharpens iron; so people can improve one another.” I encourage you to look it up in other translations, the wording may be different but the message the same.
