What Happens When We Do & Don't Sharpen Our Iron?

IRON SHARPENS IRON: March 20, 2023

In the last blog, I broke down what it means to sharpen iron and how the Bible says we ought to do it. In a short recap, if we as Christians are knives, then in order to be sharpened, we need the help of another knife (another believer). How do we do that? By building up our brothers and sisters in Christ by pouring into them with Biblical truth and love. There are two truths to be learned: 1. Left by themselves, two pieces of iron would be dull and useless, and 2. They get sharper with the help of the other.

This week, I'm going to explain what happens when we don't sharpen our iron, and on the other hand, what happens when we do sharpen our iron.

We'll start first with what happens when we don't sharpen our iron. There are three things that occur:

1. We isolate ourselves: "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.” -- Ephesians 4:9-12

It’s laid out real simple here how we ought to lock arms with other women who support and encourage us along the way. If we don’t have a fellow believer to be there when we fall, who is there to pick us up? There’s strength in numbers. You don't have to walk your faith walk alone! We’re all in this together. We’re all learning along the way.

2. We are vulnerable to the lies of the devil: “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word cheers it up.” -- Proverbs 12:25

The Devil is a good liar. The Bible calls him the father of lies. He’s a good liar because his lies sound like truth.

How many times do we have those little voices that tell us that we’re not good enough? We’re not worthy enough to call ourselves “warrior women”? Maybe God’s taking too long to answer that prayer request so He doesn’t care? If He’s a Good Father, then why is allowing your loved one to get sick? Does He even love you if He's not answering that specific prayer request?

We need friends who understand our struggles and want nothing more than to build us up and pour into us the truth of what the Bible says: That we are good enough, that we are warrior women, that God answers all prayers in His timing, that He IS a good Father and that He DOES love us.

On the flipside, we need to be that for our friends. It’s a two-way street.

3. We’re in a slippery slope to fall out of alignment with Jesus: “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm." -- Proverbs 13:20

“Being in close proximity to people that you know are running from God and are in the crosshairs of His corrective measures can inadvertently put you in line of fire.” - Priscilla Shirer

When we are surrounded by Godly women who have the same desires, you’re going to be propelled to want to grow in the Lord, both individually and together. On the other hand, when you’re surrounded by women who desire to live in sin and be unapologetic for it, you’re in a position to fall into temptation.

I’m not saying that we shouldn’t have non-Christian friends. The Bible doesn’t say that. But if you’re in an environment that isn’t pleasing to God or might cause you to stumble, you need to remove yourself from that situation. This isn’t just being out at a bar or being around people drinking. This is about being at work and your coworkers are gossiping about other people. Or you’re flipping through Netflix and want to watch that movie or that comedy special but know it’s going to be laced with a curse word every other word.

You have to resist these things, choose to be set apart and let the world despise you for that. The rewards in heaven more than enough make up for whatever hate you receive on earth.

Let’s go to the flipside about what happens when we do sharpen our iron:

1. We are safe: “Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” -- Proverbs 11:14

We’re safe with the people who want to see you grow and do mighty things for the kingdom. With the people in your life who don’t sharpen our iron, you might have to distance yourself from them. This doesn’t mean you can’t shine the light of Jesus to them, pray for them, lead by example. But if iron sharpens iron, being with someone who can’t build us up as followers of Christ is like using wood to sharpen iron. Getting duller and duller with each swipe.

In those moments of discouragement around someone who is like wood, I need people like my mom to build me up with encouragement and with Biblical truth to remind me that I am a daughter of the king. People like Melissa to text me on a random Tuesday morning just to say she’s praying for me. It’s those moments that sharpen my iron and give me the blade strong enough to pass it along to someone else. It’s a chain reaction. It’s a continual cycle of encouragement.

2. We let go of pride: "And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'” - James 4:6

Telling someone you need help is a vulnerable thing. And telling your brother or sister in Christ you need help is a valuable thing. When you let them in to say, “Hey, I need you to pray for me, because I am struggling today” or “Satan is attacking me hard today and I am feeling so discouraged,” you are making space for the Holy Spirit to work.

3. We grow: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another- and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:24-25

When we are surrounded by people who love Jesus and who follow Jesus, we are in good company. We’re held accountable to live Christ-like, we’re encouraged to go deeper in our quiet time with the Lord, we’re encouraged to do better and to be the hands and feet of Jesus. . It is a two-way street of growth. We know that because Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”

Thank you for reading this second installment in the blog series breaking down my message from the Warrior Women's Conference. Next week, I'll break down two female friendships in the Bible that best exemplify what iron sharpening iron looks like...