IRON SHARPENS IRON - PART 2

WEDNESDAY 04 DECEMBER 2024

I read that iron is a strong, hard magnetic silvery-grey metal, much used as a material for construction and manufacturing, especially in the form of steel. It is also defined as tool or implement originally made of common, inexpensive metal, silvery grey when untarnished, that can rust, also used in making steel, and is attracted by magnets.

Why did Solomon use it as a figure of speech in the versified reference below? So as to provide us with an important clarity, based on the significance of its quality, in playing the role of discerning the right association, and influencing the mindset and behavioural reasoning of the people within it. So iron serves as a symbol of great strength, toughness and intensity, as well as sharpness of intelligent effects in the aura of mind realm and in the quality of a man's spirit. More below!

Reference: Proverbs 27:17 New Living Translation (NLT)

"As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend."

Like I earlier mentioned, although the frame of reference in the above Scripture contains a communication in the essence of metaphorical or figurative language, iron is used here as a point of comparison between its purposeful nature and two or more people in friendly interrelation - which conveys an important understanding about such relational practices, from a variety of illuminating perspectives, such as using the beneficial effects, holistic priorities and godly values, to make better sense of it.

We all have a freedom of association, but we should be mindful of foolish associations because their values can convey ignorance, envy, selfishness, negative influence, hatred, greed, lack of pragmatic approach and courageous actions in dealing with the issues of life, all which are contrary to the influential transformation sourced from a godly mental orientation in any distinctive association that favours high-value comprehension, insightful enlightenment, productive creativity, exceptional courage, empirical empathy, evidential truth, mutual honesty, realistic justice, dedicated cooperation, absolute peace, godly compassion, all-round well being, incisive shrewdness, and brightness of sharp-witted perception.

What is the true sign of a right and rewarding association? It is more of a committed action stated in Pauline epistolary expression, which is numbered as Romans 15:14. It literally reads: I myself am convinced, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, brimming with knowledge, and able to instruct one another (MSB). When your association is full of goodness, and is warmly blessed and armed with those personalities - amply filled with the right knowledge, then, people can assuredly assimilate that everyone in the association is competent to admonish, counsel and instruct one another effectively and profitably.

In addition, 1st Thessalonians 5:11 reads, "Therefore encourage and build one another up, just as you are already doing" (NIV). People in wise associations are always timely in administering or providing wise values within the interconnection because they recognize the enriching interrelatedness of building one another up in a profitable manner, and so, they practically follow these mutual influences to a great extent, in order to produce the right and positive effects in each other. They also promote a flourishing development in the lives of all individuals involved, as well as - provide sensitive wisdom in dealing with adversity and unfavourable situations, with a "victory" mentality. Stay tuned for part 3. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - 1 Corinthians 12:12-14; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:3; Hebrews 10:24.

Exuberant Declaration:

As iron sharpens iron, so do I get sharpened in my associations by people of positive and noble influence, well endowed with the virtue of good judgement and comprehensive knowledge. Glory to God!