Iron Sharpens Iron

Proverbs compares friendship to the sharpening of a blade: as iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Sharpening involves friction, contact, and sometimes sparks. A good friend does not simply agree with everything we say; a good friend also tells us the truth with love, asks the question we are avoiding, and holds us to what we said we would do. Elsewhere the same book says the wounds of a friend can be trusted. This has a double edge for us. Do we have a friend who is allowed to challenge us? And are we that friend for someone else, patient enough to speak truth and humble enough to receive it? Many of us have plenty of acquaintances but few people who know us well. Today, choose one friend and offer to meet for an honest conversation about how each of you is really doing in your walk with God.