Friends – Part 2: “As Iron Sharpens Iron”
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Friends
by Dakota
Wednesday, January 12, 2011“He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.”
-Proverbs 13:20
In my last post on friendship, I focused primarily on the last half of this verse by emphasizing the importance of guarding against unhealthy relationships. Today’s focus will be a little different, however, and I instead want to look at the other end of the spectrum. That is, instead of writing about the danger of bad friends, I want to take a minute and look at the benefits of having good ones.
“Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.”
-1 Corinthians 15:33
This verse has long been one of my favorite passages of Scripture concerning friendship. It wasn’t until the other day, however, that a friend of mine brought out an intriguing point on the subject when he said that in the same way as “bad company corrupts good morals” (which is how the NASB words it), it’s just as true to say that good company corrupts bad morals. And though I’d never thought of it in that way before, such a statement is really nothing more than a reiteration of today’s Scripture: “…he that walketh with wise men shall be wise.” Though our culture is quick to preach sermons against unhealthy relations with the world, we aren’t reminded enough of the positive potential that lies in having a Godly friend to help us along on our journey.
“…And Julius courteously entreated Paul, and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself.”
-Acts 27:3
We find in Proverbs 27:17 that Solomon compared a Godly friendship to the sharpening of two pieces of iron. It may seem like a strange comparison in some respects but, in reality, it couldn’t be more appropriate. Friends won’t always agree, and yet if handled properly, God can use that friction to make those concerned better people, closer friends, and stronger Christians. Whether that friction comes in the form of a disagreement, or even a simple word of encouragement or exhortation (Hebrews 10:25), we know from the Word of God that such occasions provide the perfect environment for spiritual growth and edification. That, in reality, is what friends are for.
6 comments:
Wow! Truely what I needed today!! Thanks so much for the truth. It's not every day that you are helped through strugles(but with God every day is the most helpful):~)
I think I like this post. ;-) I really like your comparisson of iron sharpening iron. Really, there's not much that's pleasent about scraping two pieces of iron against each other. There's friction, sparks, and heat that results, but in the end both are sharper and shine even brighter.
You can thank C.S. Lewis for the analogy (Mere Christianity). He compared it to an infection that Christians have towards the world. Powerful stuff, this Christianity. We live it out, and people might just notice. =)
Camden
Proverbs 18:24
A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
You have a great lookin' blog, Dakota. And the content in this post is "right on". The book of Proverbs has "tons" (well, that's a LITTLE exaggerated) of stuff on the subject of friendships as you've already discovered!
Very true Dakota, very true indeed. And the incredible thing is that each Godly friend that the Lord gives us has their own unique role to play in shaping our lives. God bless!
Very insightful posts. We do need more emphasis on the positive benefits we reap from having the right kinds of people in our lives. Appreciate you stopping by blog this week. I look forward to reading more from you. God bless.
Such a great truth to realize, how our friends influence us and can help us to grow in our faith. I can look back and see how my choice of friends has often been the determining factor in the paths I took.
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