Reading
SAA Notes
Recognizing what’s wrong with your own behaviour is the first step to changing it. The second is accepting that such behaviour is stupid. These proverbs therefore use humour to make their point – on laziness, “I was only joking”, gossip, hypocrisy, malice, etc.
SJA Notes
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another,”
This proverb is of great importance to God’s people today, to wrestle with what it means for us.
This is not about being argumentative or hyper-critical. We are not to harangue each other into submission to our own wills.
Healthy discussion, rebuke, encouragement and meditating on what is said is the order of the day.
In Hebrews chapter 10 we read,
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
We are blessed by God with the preaching of His word, sharpening us as we hear from the pulpit each new sabbath day, as well as the preaching we do through our daily lives – Speaking God’s word to one another.
In Colossians chapter 4 Paul says,
“Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
The element of grace is a powerful aspect of sharpening one another.
Undergirding all our own work though is the sharpening and refining that God enacts, often through our broken attempts.
From Romans chapter 8,
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.”
We have the best of helpers who continues to make us better!
* Saviour God,
Please may we be sharpening and refined by Your, Your word being written on our hearts by Your Spirit.
Thank You for Jesus – The Right Man who shows us how to live.
Thank You for the Holy Spirit – The best helper, drawing us onward toward glory.
And thank You Father for Your love for us. That while we were still sinners, You in the person of God the Son, Jesus, the Lord’s Christ – You died for us.
Amen.