The Blacksmith’s Work
Imagine a blacksmith’s forge—the heat, the hammering, the sparks flying as two pieces of iron collide. The process is loud, intense, and sometimes uncomfortable, but the result is a razor-sharp edge.
"Is not my word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29)
This is the picture Solomon paints in Proverbs 27:17. God’s design for our growth isn’t isolation but intentional, sometimes fiery, relationships that shape us into who we’re meant to be.
"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:24-25)
1. The Necessity of Sharpening
A. A Dull Life Is a Dangerous Life
- A dull blade is unreliable—it requires more effort but delivers less. ("Like a lame man's legs that hang limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool." - Proverbs 26:7)
- "Because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth." (Revelation 3:16)
B. God’s Design for Growth is through Mutual Refinement
- Sharpening requires contact: Growth happens through intentional engagement ("Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." - Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)
- "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)
- Both pieces are changed: Mutual refinement is God’s design ("Therefore encourage one another and build one another up." - 1 Thessalonians 5:11;
- The goal is usefulness: Dull blades cannot fulfill their purpose. ("Equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ." - Ephesians 4:12)
- Growth Through Godly Relationships
"Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6).
- Accountability: Speaking truth in love. ("Brothers, if anyone is caught in sin, restore him gently… Bear one another’s burdens." - Galatians 6:1-2)
- Encouragement: Actively stirring one another to love ("That we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." - Romans 1:12)
- Wisdom: Seeking counsel for spiritual safety. ("If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God… and it will be given him." - James 1:5)
2. The Process of Sharpening
A. Friction Is Required
- "Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." (Proverbs 27:5-6)
- "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (2 Timothy 3:16)
- Reject spiritually draining influences ("Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers" - 2 Corinthians 6:14)
- Pursue intentional fellowship ("Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked… He is like a tree planted by streams of water." - Psalm 1:1-3)
B. The Right Tools Matter
- "Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33)
- Avoiding enabling sin ("Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." (Proverbs 13:20)
C. It’s a Two-Way Street
- "Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
- "And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." (2 Timothy 2:2)
3. The Resistance to Sharpening
A. Pride: "I Don’t Need Help"
- "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." (Proverbs 11:2)
- "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves." (Philippians 2:3)
B. Fear: "What If It Hurts?"
- "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Timothy 1:7)
- "There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear." (1 John 4:18)
C. Isolation: "I’m Fine Alone"
- "A man who isolates himself seeks his own desire; he rages against all wise judgment." (Proverbs 18:1 NKJV)
- "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
4. The Call to Action
A. Find Your "Iron"
- "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom." (Colossians 3:16)
- "Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel." (Proverbs 27:9)
B. Be "Iron" for Someone Else
- "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness." (Galatians 6:1)
- "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." (James 5:16)
- "As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace." (1 Peter 4:10)
C. Embrace the Sparks
- "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness." (James 1:2-3)
- "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9)
D. Humility to receive Correction
- "All Scripture is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction… that the man of God may be complete." (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Conclusion : Staying Sharp and Depending on the Ultimate Sharpener
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1)
"The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword." (Hebrews 4:12)
- Christ’s refining work ("We are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand." - Isaiah 64:8)
- The Spirit’s transformation ("We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image." - 2 Corinthians 3:18)
- The Church’s mission ("Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." - Matthew 5:16)
Let’s commit to being iron in each other’s lives—because iron sharpens iron and is not a passive process—it’s a divine call to engage boldly, love sacrificially, and grow relentlessly.
"May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus." (Romans 15:5)
