Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose]. Proverbs 27:17 AMPC
The Context:
The book of Proverbs is full of one-line messages, and you can teach all of life from the words of this book. Today's extract speaks to the power, privilege and problems that are associated with human relationships. The imagery is quite instructive: iron sharpens iron. This raises a few issues that require a second look:
1. Why is iron the material used here? Could it be that it is commonly available, and is the raw material for most of the things we use at home or around us for most manual jobs. It is a strong material too, and can carry out whatever job it is assigned. As Google confirms, it rusts easily, yet it is the most important of all metals. 90% of all metal that is refined today is iron, and is used to manufacture steel, used in civil engineering (reinforced concrete, girders) and in manufacturing.
2. However, it is noted that you can only apply iron to whatever material can take it or subject it to treatment by whatever material it is comfortable with. As pointed out, it rusts easily, so in its natural form, it cannot be used in water. If you will have the right effect and impact, there is a right environment for its use and application. No amount of diligent use or prayers can save iron from rusting if it is not used in the right place and in the right manner.
3. It loses its edge after constant use and even unuse, and has to be sharpened and brought back to the right position as before. You have to use material like itself to sharpen it. You can't use wood; wood won't survive the impact. You can't use water; iron won't survive the impact. It is iron, like itself, that is able to carry out the work of sharpening and impact, so that iron can function in its capacity as iron.
These few lessons above lay the foundation for the message that God would have us heed today.
The Message:
Why do you think that God placed you in the midst of other human beings like yourself? Why was it that it was ONLY at the creation of man that God declared an intention to make anything in His own image. He made man, and then brought him another being, taken out of his side, to complement him. He then established the law of increase, whereby man would fill the earth and subdue it. No other creature was given this instruction. It then means that the purpose of God cannot be fulfilled in isolation of other human beings. I was not made to go alone; the fact that it takes the cooperation of the product of the body of a man and a woman to form another human life means that I will not last long on my own.
At the same time, I have a duty to God to ensure that I pursue the right contacts for the purpose He has defined for me. If I know that a relationship is toxic for me and will drag me down, why should I remain in such a dangerous relationship? If all I get is depression, is that not a sign that this person has no business being in my life at this point in time? People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime; I have to know who falls into which category, and take action accordingly. If I hold on too long to a particular relationship, when I should have let go a long time ago, would I not be damaging my life and exposing myself to rust?
It means that not everyone who comes into my life is there to sharpen me the right way. Oh, the fact that they came into your life means that they will leave a mark; you just need to define ahead of time what impact they will have. If I allow another person influence my life negatively, so that I become like him or her and rebel against God, would God accept the excuse that it was that person who led me down the wrong path? Would God not hold each person responsible for the consequences of the decisions taken?
The Response:
That is the caution in the last part of today's extract: a man's touch on your life will produce rage or worthy purpose. No human interaction is neutral; all human relationships have been set up by God to have an impact. The human body is a good example; at no time is the body really all at rest and inactive. Some parts pick up when other parts have gone to sleep, but all the parts work together to keep the body alive and well. Imagine then the power and glory that is made manifest when two people, who have an understanding of the power of relationships, get into sync to pursue God's purpose. Even God at the tower of Babel recognised the power of unity of purpose and pursuit.
I must audit my relationships today and make sure that they have the power to bring out God's best in me. I cannot claim that it was someone else who taught me how to do evil; no man can birth in me that which its seed has not been sown in me. If it is to be manifest, I have to allow it. What kind of relationships am I nurturing now? What kind of impact are these lives having in and on me? What is my life looking like right now as a result of these relationships? I must remember: nothing is wasted. God does not waste relationships, and whoever He brings my way is sent to impact my life. I am also to impact another person's life. Am I living up to God's expectations for me? His time of favour is here.
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