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Iron Sharpens Iron

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As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another

Proverbs 27:17

This proverb tells us that God created us with a need for others, especially strong Christians. Our human nature is to fit into a group by becoming like the people in the group, and as a Christian we are guided by the Holy Spirit to be holy. However, when we are with other Christians we conform to the group by our human nature and this is good because this group is guided by the Holy Spirit. We are drawn to other Christians by the power of the Holy Spirit and by our need for meaningful relationships.

I will give two reasons why Proverbs 27:17 is important. First, when two or more are gathered in the Lord’s name, he is there among them. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them. (Matthew 18:20) When two or more are ministering, the Lord is listening and speaking to us through the Holy Spirit. Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. (Malachi 3:16) It is important that we listen to the Spirit, because the Lord knows the heart of the person we are ministering, and he conveys to us through the Spirit what the person needs to hear.

The second reason why Proverbs 27:17 is important also concerns ministering to others. One advantage is there are two people to hear what the Lord is telling us through the Holy Spirit. Also with two people we can hold each other accountable to the truth of the Word. Also when two are ministering to others, and they are in agreement in God’s truth; two are normally more convincing than one.

One final advantage of Proverbs 27:17 is that I am usually more comfortable when a close Christian brother joins me when ministering or teaching others. I currently team with a Christian brother when teaching a class and when ministering to a small group. Class is always better when taught by the two of us.

Today, if possible find time to be with a Christian friend(s). Ask the Lord to put Christian friends in your day, and thank the Lord for your Christian friends. Close friendships, especially those in the Lord, are to be cherished.

Prayer: Thank you for my Christian family which includes my own family. Help me to always be grateful for my close Christian friends and to always reflect your love to them. In Jesus name, Amen