"As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens
the countenance of his friend."
the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17
A young man went away to college. He had Christian parents who cared for his spiritual condition. In the last couple of years, he had gone astray in his lifestyle, surrounded by friends who were influencing him to turn away from God. As he entered college, he was assigned a dormitory roommate who was committed to living a Christian life. That new friend had a big impact on his life. They attended church together, as well as a weekly Bible study group for students. The new friend helped him in his personal relationship with God. About a year later, he publicly committed his life to preach the gospel, and later went on to seminary after graduating from college. He served for many years as a pastor.
When the proverb teaches that iron sharpens iron, it's clear how another person can have a positive influence on our lives. God uses people in our lives to help us along the right path. He has a plan for our lives. Those people who sharpen our lives are used of God to prepare us. We all need spiritual mentors and friends who encourage and support us. When we read about the apostle Paul in the book of Acts, we see how God used men like Barnabas and Silas to encourage and support him in the work of the ministry. Later, Paul became a mentor for a young preacher by the name of Timothy. These stories illustrate how iron sharpens iron.
Who has God used in your life to encourage you in your faith? Thank God for them. Understand that God will bring other people into your life to encourage and support you. Also, the Lord will use you to mentor others along the way. Significant other persons make a difference in our lives. The Christian life was never designed by God to live alone. We need other believers in the body of Christ as iron sharpens iron. Likewise, there are other people who need you, that God may use you like iron sharpens iron.
Prayer: Father, thank You for all the people who have trained, encouraged and supported us in our faith. Use us to encourage others, in Jesus name. Amen.
