Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. – Proverbs 27:17
Heat and sparks—the result of two pieces of iron being drawn across each other. Heated resistance cleans a blade and hones it to a fine useful edge. In an ideal setting, people who disagree actually help one another, benefiting from considering different perspectives. But today, deep division exists in America and, tragically, even among professed followers of Christ. How can you navigate disagreement and benefit from it?
It is important to realize that some conflict is unavoidable! Some issues are vital to the truth of the Gospel—and standing firmly upon your conscience and conviction is legitimate. Jesus was not soft on the reality that His message was controversial. “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34).
A major roadblock in learning from conflict is pride. And it is a favored tool of your enemy to keep you separated from the knowledge of God and His flowing grace. Do you want to grow in faith? “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you…” (1 Peter 5:6). Do you want to be a testimony to Christ? “Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless… without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world…” (Philippians 2:14-15).
Pray for leaders in government and churches across America to lay down the pride that blocks God’s grace and blessing. Ask that humble leaders, sharpened by knowledge of God, rise up to benefit all.
Today’s Verse: Proverbs 27:17
Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: James 4:1-6
What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? 2 You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. 4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
