Are You and Your Fellow Christians Demonstrating that Iron Sharpeneth Iron?

© 2018 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” (Proverbs 27:17)

This wise statement was written by “… Solomon the son of David, king of Israel…” (Proverbs 1:1).  It is an important principle for the Lord’s people.  One of the first things we notice is that it deals with interaction between friends.  Scripture makes it clear that our choice of friends is important.

“Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.” (Psalm 1:1)

For the Christian, frequent gathering and discussion with other Christians is commanded.

“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:  Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.” (Hebrews 10:24‑25)

I’ve often been saddened that we, as Christians, sometimes deny ourselves the opportunity to sharpen each other through such interactions.  Instead of gathering around Scripture to discuss differing points of view, we label each other, based on these differing views.  Then, Christians gathering under one label exclude or silence Christians with other labels.

Don’t misunderstand me.  Scripture clearly indicates that true Christians will believe certain key things such as man’s fall and Christ’s substitutionary death.  Those denying Christ’s deity or resurrection are not Christians at all.(see 2 John 9‑10, 1 Corinthians 15:12‑17)

However, on some less critical issues, Scripture does not provide us all of the details we might like to have.  For example:  consider the study of future things (eschatology).  God has sometimes revealed general areas of truth without giving all the details.  When God was revealing future things to the apostle John, John recorded the following:

“And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.” (Revelation 10:4)

Redeemed brothers and sisters may differ on issues for which not all the details are provided.  When they do, they are still brothers and sisters.  Wouldn’t it be better to listen to each other as friends, and demonstrate the truth that “iron sharpeneth iron?”

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