Influence!

Influence!

Proverbs 27:17 AMP

[17] As iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens [and influences] another [through discussion].

Proverbs 27:17 AMPC

[17] Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].

We learn a lot from the words of Solomon, the man credited with most of the proverbs in the Bible. We remember his story and how he came to be so wise that kings, queens and prominent people from all over the world came to listen to his sayings. The wisdom he had was given to him by God, and the impact of this gift cannot be denied. However, as we know, it is one thing for God to give you a thing, and it is quite another thing for you to remain in God and develop what you have been given. We see the end of the man Solomon, and it is rather unfortunate that the wisdom of God in him was not nurtured and preserved the right way, so he could end his life on the right note. A gift from God does not automatically guarantee a good end; there is a role for me to nurture that which I have been given, so that it becomes a blessing not just to me, but to the world around me. 

That is the message of the verse above. God could have chosen to create a being to give Him pleasure, and the being would have no other choice but to seek to please God at all times. God had that in abundance in heaven, but among many other reasons, God placed me in the midst of other people so that I could be a blessing to them, and they to me. Human interactions are complex, but can be mutually beneficial if both parties work at being the best versions of themselves, seeking to impact the other person the right way. How can I make the right impact if I do not have the right content? Reflect on this: there is actually no one alive without a level of impact and influence, whether good or bad. I am the outward expression of my private investment. Character is a funny and stubborn thing that you just cannot fake. At some point, who I am will be made plain to all who come in contact with me. 

What kind of Iron am I: the blunt one or the sharp one? The effective one or the inefficient one? The one that dares to stand out or the one that is comfortable with blending in and is used to compromise? The right kind of iron is the kind that sharpens another man the right way. When people spend time with me, what do they go away with? When I have spent time with people, how much of the right influence have I made? I love the AMPC version above: the work of influence on another person can be for rage or a worthy purpose. That which I have will be replicated and duplicated in the lives of all who stay long enough with me. This is where hypocrisy, pretence or eye-service is pointless; the truth of who I am will be made manifest in the fullness of time. Be the right version of yourself, but also audit the company of those who are able to leave a mark in and on you. There is an eternal dimension to impact ; you will not be able to stand before God and blame another for your own choices. Be right; do right; flow right; end right. God's time of favour is here.