Power Of Iron Sharpening Iron

Power Of Iron Sharpening Iron

Key Scripture:  “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Romans 27:17And

Power Point:

     Recently I’ve been thinking about this verse. The Lord has given me a different perspective on it. I’ve seen people, and I’ve been the person who gets down in the pit with their friends and points out all the bad available in their situation.  In all actuality, we are to point people to a whole different path. We’re to point them away from anger, bitterness, and unforgiveness and pave the way for them to respond in the spiritual power that Jesus died to give them.We're to point the way to faith.

     We are to not to offer sympathy, but compassion. Sympathy helps them stay where they are, and compassion brings them out.  We’re to offer comfort in the middle of a confrontation with Truth that will set them free, not keep them in their pit.

     Beloved, the only way we can do that is to believe that Truth. We have to believe that God is on our side and that He loves us, and them. We have to believe that the principle of Love works, and that as we sharpen our perception of it, it will bring the rewards of faith in our lives.

     There have been periods of great hurt in my life.  A lot of people told me to respond in a way that would not have brought healing.  In fact, if I had followed their advice, I would have been “getting even”. It would have satisfied my soul, but my spirit would have dried up.  Scripture teaches us that God is the One who will avenge you. He is the one who will repay. He says, “Don’t repay anyone evil for evil.  Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.  If it is possible, as much as it depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” There’s a reason for that. It means that at some “point”, you humble yourself and God can work IN you, what He wants to work THROUGH you. The principles He pointed me to during that time have become a foundation for my faith, and brought an extraordinary transformation of my mind. He has taught me that it is my job to love them and God’s job to change them! And He’s definitely up to the job.

     In all actuality, when we offer counsel to our friends, it should always point them to Higher Thoughts.  They should leave us with their sword sharpened to fight the Enemy of their souls. They should leave us, with more faith in the goodness of God, with more Godly wisdom lighting their thoughts, and more hope for the future.
A friend, a godly friend, will sharpen the countenance of his friend. In other words, you will help them to connect to their heavenly Father, who is, after all, the God of all comfort and the God who will love Him perfectly through this trial.  When or she is in YOUR presence, they should be in the presence of higher thoughts that will bring hope and a future.

In the Greek, this verse actually encourages us to “provide good things”. The word “provide” means to think ahead. In other words, we are to figure out beforehand what the good thing is and point your thoughts and their thoughts in that direction. “Think ahead” to how you will see good in this. Prepare yourself to think good, excellent, useful thoughts for yourself and offer that counsel to your friend. Refuse to dwell on the “what is” and point the way to what God promises “will be”. Declare the end, not the middle.

Now that’s good advice with a really good point isn’t it?

Power Thought:

We need to get really good at pointing people to truth that will sharpen their faith don’t we?