Who sharpens you? Who do you go to when you need to grow in Jesus?

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)

When you are stuck in sin, what are you compelled to do? Are you compelled to engage other believers and prayerfully work through sin’s power in your life? Hopefully that is the case, but for many believers we urge ourselves to withdraw, retract, and disengage from those who would walk through our sin with us. This is the last thing we should do! It can be embarrassing admitting we have messed up.

Let us remember, as Christians, we are called to confess our sins to one another (James 5:16).  This is not an irrational rule meant to shame us into compliance. Contrarily, it is intended for our benefit and building one another up in love and grace. What we seem to forget is that what we struggle with others have or do as well. Our Christian brother or sister has already been through what we have and can be there to help us through it. Don’t let pride keep you in sin!! We may be grieved by our sin but continue to live in it because we aren’t confessing it and being sharpened in our fight against it. Repentance is much more than feeling sorry about our sin, it is literally turning around and going the opposite direction.  Rather than living in the dark and returning to sin, confess your sin to a brother or sister and stay accountable to him or her. When this happens, you will find you both become sharper, more useful tools for the Lord.

Who sharpens you?

Hungry Stomachs or hungry souls. This is a much needed soul restoration

One who is full loathes honey, but to one who is hungry everything bitter is sweet. (Proverbs 27:7 ESV)

Many of us who live in a first world nation know well the feeling of a full stomach and a comfortable checking account balance. We know that when we go to sleep our vehicles will be ready to carry us to work in the morning and that the cable bill is paid so we’ll keep up with our DVR queue or our favorite TV show. None of these things are inherently bad, but if we aren’t vigilant our hearts will make them so.

Our security grows increasingly dependent upon our things when we allow our souls to be idle. While our bodies may be satisfied and our minds put at ease, our things cannot nourish our souls. When we live with enough (often more than enough) we must remember that God’s word is “sweeter than honey” (Psalm 119:103) and far more satisfying. But, “one who is full loathes honey”, because such an individual already has enough. Let us be hungry souls, that amidst our plenty we will still crave the sweetness of God’s truth even in seasons of bitter trial.

The importance of friendship in hard times.

The last year or two has been a very difficult time in my life. It’s been full of some of the biggest hurdles that I have ever had to face, and despite what I preach and teach, it’s taken it’s toll on me. I have become emotionally and spiritually worn down. These aren’t things that one typically like to admit, but there’s a reason I bring it up…an example of how to recharge your batteries in a way that so few of us think about.

Yesterday was my birthday,and the first part of it was filled with the typical stress and hurdles that I’ve become used to for so long. I was beginning to think that even my Birthday would be a downer. I know this sounds negative, but here comes the positive in it..:)

Last week, a very long time friend of mine  had emailed me and announced that him and his wife were coming to Vegas and wanted to know if they could take us out to dinner for my Birthday. I have known this man since childhood, and had a treasure chest of amazing memories of our friendship, but a part of me wanted to just say no, and stay home and wallow in self pity. But I could never say no to this guy because of how much he means to me. Wow, am I ever glad I did.

My wife and I drove to the hotel to meet Larry and his wife, and as soon as I saw them, I remembered how great it was to have such a friend. The four of us ate dinner, went over old times, and made new memories. But as we sat there laughing and reminiscing, I suddenly noticed my mood and thoughts changing from gloomy Gus to one of hope. Knowing that we could talk to someone about or fears and concerns just took the weight right off of our shoulders, and it was such a blessing. This morning as I write this, I am sleepy, but recharged. I have found another piece of the puzzle, and that’s called friendship.

God never made us to be alone.There are times in our lives that are going to be rough, and it’s better to go through it with someone than to try to do it alone. I call it the wolf-pack syndrome, Satan is like a wolf, they always go for the weakest in the herd. the ones that try to face the adversary alone. They leave the safety of the herd and try to defend themselves alone. When we try to face our trials and tribulations alone, the wolf will attack us at our weakest point, and will often win. Our strength comes from our bonds… with other believers of the herd.

If you’re feeling like I had been recently, alone and vulnerable to Satan’s attack, run for the safety of a friendship. Don’t try to do it alone, you’re at your wekest point if you do. It’s easier to face a trial with the comfort of a good frined than to try to do it alone. Don’t be the straggler in the herd, be part of the strength found in a herd. I promise you that it will make you a lot  stronger, and will bring you more joy in the times of crisis.

Below are some great verses on friendship, and I hope tou enjoy the,

 

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 281 helpful votes

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

 

John 15:13 ESV / 207 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

 

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 198 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

 

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

 

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

 

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

 

Hebrews 10:24-25 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

 

Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

 

Crossing the line into temptation

Enter not into the path of the wicked…Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away- Proverbs 4:14-15

Have you ever been stuck in slow-moving traffic, only to discover finally that the entire delay was caused by people rubber-necking an accident on the other side of the highway? If so, didn’t you wish afterward that you could have caught the traffic report that morning on the radio and avoided the scene altogether?

Similarly, Solomon writes to his son to encourage him to altogether avoid situations that could potentially entangle him in sin. The best approach, Solomon says, is to avoid the scene of wickedness altogether.

However, if you do have to engage such an environment (e.g. at work, at home, in the barracks), this wise father counsels: don’t be guilty of “rubber-necking” the sin around you. Avoid it, don’t go near it, get away from it as quickly as you can.

The magazine rack at the supermarket, with provocative poses on almost every cover? Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away. The flirty co-worker at the office? Avoid him, pass not by her, turn from the temptation as quickly as possible and go on your way. The same wisdom applies to ungodly classmates, illicit entertainment, or unhealthy atmospheres.

Will others think you’re strange for so conscientiously avoiding sinful distractions and potential shipwrecks for your faith? Yes, especially if they are rushing headlong toward it themselves. But Solomon is not concerned with what others think — he is concerned about you