Building Up One Another

Proverbs 27:17

The Text: “Iron sharpeneth iron…”

Not some softer metal or harder if found.

1) Harder metal would too harsh and too fast.

a) Would not produce the subtle, refined edge needed.

b) Would appear right with the eye but it’s use would be slightly irregular.

2) Softer metal would never get the job done.

The same consistency in metal is exactly what’s needed to bring a refined, perfectly honed edge, that not only is effective in chopping or hacking, but in slicing paper.

The process must be done over time and often.

“So a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

The interaction and fellowship of believers is here intended. And, the context here is about conversation in speech.

I. The Course to Be Avoided is That Which Takes away From the Christian’s Gain.

Good men’s graces are sharpened by converse with those that are good, and bad men’s lusts and passions are sharpened by converse with those that are bad, as iron is sharpened by its like,[1]

Examples:

A. Failure to find true fellowship within the church.

Sometimes the fault of the church, sometimes the fault of the individual.

1) We must be friendly.

Proverbs 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother. [2]

2) We must be loving.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. [3]

3) We must be considerate.

Proverbs 29:7 The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it. [4]

B. “Balancing” questionable & sinful endeavors with spiritual ones.

Some never break off the yoke of the old man constantly running back to their former ways.

Proverbs 26:11 As a dog returneth to his vomit, so a fool returneth to his follye. [5]

1) Some Christians try to hide their sin.

2) Some are ignorant of what is questionable.

II. The Greatest Need is For Godly Conversation That Glorifies God and Grows the Christian.

A. Strive for true fellowship with godly people.

B. Strengthen yourself through Bible study and godly conversation.

C. Realize the difference between witnessing and eating.

What I mean by this is that Christians struggle to keep relationships open as a form of testimony, but will soon find them-selves starving for spiritual nourishment. They need to nourish themselves through good godly conversation or they will eat from the pigsty.

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[1]Matthew Henry, Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible : Complete and Unabridged in One Volume (Peabody: Hendrickson, 1996, c1991). Pr 27:17.

[3] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.

[4] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.

e returneth to his folly: Heb. iterateth his folly

[5] The Holy Bible : King James Version. electronic ed. of the 1769 edition of the 1611 Authorized Version. Bellingham WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1995.