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How is Iron Sharpened? How are People Tested? And How are Fools Separated from their Foolishness?

“Iron Sharpening Iron” isn’t giving others unsolicited advice/criticism, it isn’t judging/shaming others, and it isn’t sparring/debating back and forth using religious/theological concepts and apologetics against each other.

Proverbs 27:17-22 NLT
[17] As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. [18] As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit, so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded. [19] As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person. [20] Just as Death and Destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied. [21] Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but a person is tested by being praised. [22] You cannot separate fools from their foolishness, even though you grind them like grain with mortar and pestle.

In religious circles, Psalm 27 verse 17 is quoted loudly by many who see themselves as great warriors for Jesus — sharpening their swords for battle against others,  competing to see who is strongest and who deserves the seat closest to Jesus. Even Jesus’s disciples when he walked this Earth fell into this prideful trap of the enemy.

Luke 22:24-30
The disciples argued over who would be the greatest in the kingdom. Jesus interrupted their argument, saying that the greatest among them should be like the youngest, and the leader should act like a servant. He also said, “For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table?'”. Jesus responded, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves”.

Matthew 18:1-6
The disciples asked Jesus, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” . Jesus called a child to him, set him in the middle of them, and said, “Unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven”. He continued, “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven”.

We see in scripture that Jesus halted their egos with His humility.

In Proverbs 27, we see multiple verses in a parallel format together with verse 17 that (just like Jesus’s respose to the error of his disciples) should halt any egos that begin to inflate when reading verse 17.

Let’s see what the following parallel verses declare.

Verse 18 isn’t about battling or sparring or debating — it is about “tending” and “protecting” being what brings reward. Pay attention to the “tone” of this whole section.

Verses 19, 20 and 21 lay out how the heart and its desires reveal the real person — by what they desire — and that all men desire to be praised. But it talks about being tested — tested by praise. In fact, it compares the purifying process for precious metals to the use of praise to purify and test men.

So “Iron Sharpening Iron” as described in verse 17, is clarified in verse 21 as a process that involves “praise” being used to test and purify — not criticism,  not judgement,  not debate — but praise.

And just to bring the point home, verse 22 assures you that criticism, judgement and debate (grinding a fool like grain in a mortar and pestle) will not separate them from their foolishness. The Word of God clearly tells us that applying pressure by way of men’s effort is not the way that this works.

The error in most of our thinking when our egos lead the way (mine included has led me wrong on this before) on this subject is that when they hear Iron Sharpens Iron, they imagine two swordsmen fighting one another — and they imagine themselves as the swordsmen instead of the sword. The scripture does not say that two swordsmen sharpen one another,  it says that “iron sharpens iron”. In this analogy “as it is written”, the sword doesn’t itself do anything amazing or heroic to sharpen itself against another sword. No! It is the work of the master swordsman that does the work at his wheel sharpening and readying the sword for battle. In fact, knocking two swords forcibly against each other only serves to dull the blades, not sharpen them.

Do we seek praise for any good work the Lord is doing to sharpen us, or do we give it to God?

Do we criticize, condemn or debate against others — internally giving praise to our own egos in contrast to what we are giving to them — instead of giving all praise to the only one who is worthy of praise?

What if we did praise others instead of offering unsolicited advice, instead of criticizing,  instead of judging,  instead of debating — might our humility and gentleness and kindness leave room for God to do His purifying work?

Isn’t this why “friend sharpens friend”?

Some might say “we’re good enough friends that we can hurt each others feelings with truth in love” or “we’re good enough friends that we can hold each other accountable and criticize each other with truth in love”. But if someone is being foolish,  this is not how these verses — especially not verse 22 — tells us to effectively remove them from their foolishness,  purify them,  tend to them, or sharpen them.

I’m not saying this to be contrary to anyone else’s sermon or study or approach to this verse. In fact, I praise so many who have encouraged each other and called each other to live more holy and dependent upon God with verse 17 as a rallying cry. Maybe this is what God needs for me to hear right now and right here,  and it is valuable daily bread just for me right now at this very moment.

So what do I need to hear?

When someone gives me unsolicited advice,  criticism, etc. — I need to not let my ego be so upset that it wasn’t stroked or inflated instead. My expectation shouldn’t be that I’m worthy of people’s praise.

And even if someone else is pouring out vinegar on me,  I need to realize that is the state of their heart at the moment. They may need some praise and encouragement. If they aren’t close enough to the spirit of God that their cup is overflowing abundantly with the fruit of the Holy Spirit straight from the source, maybe they need a friend in me since Christ lives in me. Maybe I need to bring Christ close to them,  like the friends who cut open a roof to get their friend to Jesus.

This is humbling,  but the only hope I have of getting sharper myself (or them getting sharper) is for us to be in the hands of the master.

I need to completely forgive them for their behavior towards me,  lay down my foolish claims of “they started it”, ask them to forgive me for my petty reactions when I got offended by their words and actions,  and praise them for so many things that are awesome about them.  I need to repent and let God do the purifying work that needs to be done to my heart. Amen.

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The confidence of the foolish

Listen to this, all of you –
whether the world considers you lowly or honored, whether you are wealthy or in need – these words will share wisdom, and the truth pouring from my heart will give understanding. I have studied true and valuable pieces of wisdom from the Word of God, and I will share with you the dark warning that is uncovered in the light of revelation.

Fools will ask themelves,  “Why should I be afraid when trouble arises, haven’t I made preparations? Even if enemies surround me, like so many snakes and scorpions at my heals, can’t I look down on them from the high place that I have prepared for myself?”

Yes,  fools think much of themselves and of their own preparations. They trust in their wealth and their works (even in their religious preparations),  and boast proudly in their riches and evidence of their works,  while none of these things can redeem their own brother or friend from the coming destruction. They can’t offer a ransom for others (nor do many concern themselves with much more than themselves) – because the redemption of souls is not a cost they are ready to pay,  it is costly beyond what they are willing or able to buy.

And it is true that redemption by cost and sacrifice and purchase has ceased, because of the price paid by the Lord Jesus Christ from the cross to the tomb to the right hand of God Almighty, so that He can continue to live eternally with His children, so that they will not see the pit of destruction that this world so bitterly deserves.

The Lord sees wise men die, and the fools and those with no understanding. They all leave their wealth (those many things they have accumulated) to others. They believe in their things (more than they ever believed in the Lord) that their houses will not fall, that their land and possessions will be passed down through all their coming generations, with it remaining in the names (of men) that they honor so highly (while they give little if any real honor to the name of the Lord).

But the worldly man, the carnal man, even if he is a greatly honored man among men, doesn’t remain. Like the animals, he will die. Yes,  this is the end for the foolish who trust in themselves, and of those who revere their ways of worldliness as being wise.

Like sheep they will die,  and the world having been their master – death, the prince of this world, the end to the things of the world, will consume them (as they rot and are eaten by the worms).

The upright (who fear in the Lord and place their confidence in those things eternal) will have dominion over them in the morning (when the eternal light of His vindication is come into the world), and the essence of their being will be eaten away in Sheol, because they have no communion,  no habitation,  no place, and no memory in the presence of the Lord.

And we say,  “But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me.”

They say, “I won’t be afraid if I become rich, when the glory of my name increases in the mouths of men; because when I die, I’ll carry nothing away; I know that any glory won’t descend after me into the grave.”

But while they live, they bless themselvesselves. And other worldly men will rise up and praise them when they do well for themselves. But these men will go to the same end as their fathers before them. They will never see the light of that morning, because a man who honored by men, but does not understand these things, is just like the animals that will be slaughtered and butchered, their end is in the same destination.

Hear this, all peoples; Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, Both low and high, Rich and poor together. My mouth shall speak wisdom, And the meditation of my heart shall  give understanding. I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will disclose my dark saying on the harp. Why should I fear in the days of evil, When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me? Those who trust in their wealth And boast in the multitude of their riches, None of  them can by any means redeem his brother, Nor give to God a ransom for him— For the redemption of their souls is costly, And it shall cease forever— That he should continue to live eternally, And  not see the Pit. For he sees wise men die; Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish, And leave their wealth to others. Their inner thought is  that their houses will  last forever, Their dwelling places to all generations; They call their lands after their own names. Nevertheless man, though in honor, does not remain; He is like the beasts that perish. This is the way of those who are  foolish, And of their posterity who approve their sayings. Selah Like sheep they are laid in the grave; Death shall feed on them; The upright shall have dominion over them in the morning; And their beauty shall be consumed in the grave, far from their dwelling. But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave, For He shall receive me. Selah Do not be afraid when one becomes rich, When the glory of his house is increased; For when he dies he shall carry nothing away; His glory shall not descend after him. Though while he lives he blesses himself (For men will praise you when you do well for yourself), He shall go to the generation of his fathers; They shall never see light. A man who  is in honor, yet does not understand, Is like the beasts that perish.
Psalms 49:1-20 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.49.1-20.NKJV

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Our confidence is in His mercy

Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You.
Psalms 33:18-22 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.33.18-22.NKJV

Our confidence is in your mercy,  Lord, not in our worthiness. We have nothing to boast in but you,  Lord. Our security is found in you,  not our works,  not our wealth,  not even in our religious sacrifices – only in you.

Hear this, all peoples;
Give ear, all inhabitants of the world,
Why should I fear in the days of evil,
When the iniquity at my heels surrounds me?
Those who trust in their wealth
And boast in the multitude of their riches,
None of  them can by any means redeem his brother,
Nor give to God a ransom for him—
For he sees wise men die;
Likewise the fool and the senseless person perish,
And leave their wealth to others.
But God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave,
For He shall receive me. Selah
Psalms 49:1, 5-7, 10, 15 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/psa.49.1-15.NKJV

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The path of humanity

Speaking humanly –

We all know that it is better to do right than to do wrong. We all know that it is better to help someone than to hurt them. We all know that there are ways that we can all work together for the common good of a community.

But why do we on one hand know these truths, if on the other hand we say it is all about serving self and having the right to decide what is right for ourselves? How foolish is it for us to ignore central, unchanging truths about how life is best lived? How foolish is it for us to decide that “I know better”, “This won’t hurt me”, and “I can do what I want”. Are we so blind to the warnings of others, of history, of laws that we are simply fools to the consequences we are lining up for ourselves and others through our poor decision making and lack of self control and discipline? Or are we inviting destruction into our lives like a kamikaze pilot?

So, still speaking within the bounds of our humanly understanding, we should all be able to understand that there are bad paths with negative consequences, and that there are good paths with positive rewards. And yes, we can acknowledge that many times the bad path is trading off some small, immediate gratification at the cost of a later, higher cost – which is attractive to the foolish. And we can acknowledge that many times the bad path is trading off a small pleasure or treasure for ourselves at the cost of hurting, oppressing, or denying someone else – which is attractive to the selfish.

We could go on all day agreeing to what is good and what is bad, and building laws around these things to remind men of what they already know. And we could build prisons and lay out punishments for them, if they are just foolish and need to learn the truth that they are making decisions that are hurting themselves and others.

But through law and punishment alone, we cannot change the hearts and desires of those who are selfish, prideful, deceitful, hateful, gossipers, slanderers, adulterers, lustful, addicts, etc. Because the law doesn’t make any change to the inside, it just strives to force people to conform on the outside, leaving the underlying urges of people’s hearts to do things that are not right or good. The law doesn’t create obedience on the inside, it hides inward disobedience under the mask of compliance.

In fact, the law on its own then serves as a catalyst for those to argue, “But if I am born with this urge in my heart, then who are you to deny me” as they strive for the very lawlessness and destruction that their hearts desire. And can’t we, see this is true when we look at the eradication of our communities which were once vibrant and interactive and alive – but that have been traded for isolation and fear and all kinds of, wickedness rising up around us?

Yes, this world when left in the hands of men is headed on a collision course with disaster. Because men are either foolish, or they are selfish, or they are both. And there is no other kind of man. You yourself that is reading this, have you devoted much time to helping your neighbor this week? Have you clothed and fed the homeless? Have you treated your friends with kindness? How about your enemies, have you treated them with loving kindness? Have you loved and praised God like He deserves?

And some of you will jump at that with a startled reaction, and say “But I thought that we were talking humanly, why did you have to bring God into this?” And yes, that is the reaction of proud men who want to solve this predicament on their own. We do not want to admit that we are not in control and that we are unable to build our own stairway to heaven. Isn’t that the struggle? That we want to do it our way so that we can get some credit for ourselves?

And yes, there is one path that many choose where they can take credit for their own choices, their own decisions, their own works. And they can choose to lay the evidence of their life’s works on the table and be judged by a righteous and perfect God, and they will get what they deserve – the pit of eternal flames. Because each and every one of us deserves that if we are only under the law, right? How many times have you worn clothes of different types of fabric? How many times have you looked at someone other than your spouse with lust and committed adultery in your heart? How many times have you seen something that wasn’t yours and longed for it in envy and jealousy instead of being satisfied and content with the many blessings the Lord has already given you? How many times have you done things in the dark and alone and in secret that you don’t want the world to know about? How many times have you forgotten God’s way and done it your own way?

Do you not know that you are a wicked, foolish person far from the perfect ways of a just God who will judge with righteousness and uprightness? Do you not know your need to be changed on the inside – not by religious adherence to traditions of men, but by the transforming power of something greater than you that can change your very heart, nature, and desires?

As the people were in expectation, and all were questioning in their hearts concerning John, whether he might be the Christ, John answered them all, saying, “I baptize you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” So with many other exhortations he preached good news to the people.
Luke 3:15-18 ESV
http://bible.com/59/luk.3.15-18.ESV

I’m not asking you if you’ve received the baptism of John where you promise with your mouth to repent and interact with some water from this world, friend. I’m asking if you’ve come in contact with the living waters of the baptism of the Holy Spirit coming into your life and changing you from the inside out. Is there any breath of His abundant life in your lungs? Is there any fire in your bones for sharing the Good News with the nations? Is there a transplant for your cold, hard heart so that you now go out to serve and love your neighbors, the needy, the afflicted, the imprisoned, even your enemies?

And do you realize that none of YOUR works are pure, perfect, and good? But do you realize that if you allow Him to use you, He can do amazing works through you? If you realize this in your mind, I ask you, are you allowing it to take place in your heart?

And humanly speaking, if we all lived like Jesus. If we followed His example and His teachings, wouldn’t it be a better world? Are there some things that each of us must give up that our hearts desire and long for by nature, yes. But there is something much greater than desire, than pleasure, than lawlessness – and it is love for God and for others – and the payoff isn’t “someday when I get to heaven”. The payoff is now, both for you and for those around you.

Every good and perfect gift is from God, and His gifts don’t come with hidden consequences and destruction for you and those around you. But how many times have we accepted curses from that genie whose gifts always come at a cost because they come quick and easy – instead of living in the blessing of an abundant life filled with God’s presence.

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Psalm 16:11 ESV

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The fool’s heart and actions say, “There is no God”

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, they do abominable deeds, there is none who does good. 

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.  They have all turned aside; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one. 

Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers who eat up my people as they eat bread and do not call upon the Lord ?  There they are in great terror, for God is with the generation of the righteous. 

You would shame the plans of the poor, but the Lord is his refuge.  Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!

When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Psalm 14:1-7 ESV
http://bible.com/59/psa.14.1-7.ESV

There was a time when I walked like a fool,  when I talked like a fool,  when I did foolish things because I did not understand,  because I did not seek after God. I didn’t care about anything nearly as much as I cared about myself. I wanted money,  power,  reputation,  honor from men,  control over the things around me, the ability to enjoy the pleasures of this world without limit, the ability to take and have what want rightfully mine. You see,  I want interested in justice. It wasn’t even about “just us”. It was about “just me”.

But all of that came with a cost. Because that matter that I was serving didn’t know anything about good gifts. Everything that I received eventually revealed an unexpected cost or consequence. That’s what happens when you wish to a genie for the things of this world that he can give you instead of serving the one true God who will give you eternal blessings. Do you realize these are two different masters? Do you know that only one has your loyalty?

You see, we started out serving that other master, but we have an opportunity for our lives to teach. Not everyone else has to be a fool. Not everyone else has to have a wasted youth. Not everyone else has to carry the same scars on their character that reveal the battles we have been through. Not everyone has to be a Paul.

Do you realize that because of Paul’s life example and teaching,  young Timothy’s life was much different? Do we realize that because of the faithful people around him,  Samuel’s life from the time that he was a boy was very different than the world? I wonder how often we don’t understand the impact that our turn from foolishness,  however early or late in our own lives might have on the lives of those around us?

You see,  we aren’t meant to walk and act like fools. And what could be more foolish than claiming with our mouths that we are a child of God,  but living like a child of hell.

If we come to the end of our lives and we have imitated a kind of godliness with some half hearted interest in religion and in escaping hell,  but we have continually denied the power that could make us a holy people set apart for His use, that could reconcile us day to day as we draw close to Him – will we have any defense against the one and only unpardonable sin,  to blaspheme the very Holy Spirit that seeks to save us from ruin?

You see, man would look at each others words to make a decision, a measurement,  a judgement, about the wisdom or foolishness of a man.

But God judges our hearts, because the tongues of wicked men are full of lies and deceit and their slippery words will attempt to hide their true desires.

We cannot fool God about who our real master is. I just wonder if we examine the example of our life’s actions closely enough to reveal who it is most of us truly serve – or if we have been trickled by our slick words and thoughts justifying our own wicked ways.

Our life example is either creating situations where others might learn from our faithfulness and live a life like Samuel and Timothy where there is abundant life throughout – or our life example may leave them with ways years before they seek the Lord and become fruitful and useful to the Lord – or maybe their whole lives are wasted, lost in fruitlessness.

Do we care enough to live differently?

Are we tired of playing the fool?

May we have the eyes,  ears,  and hearts to receive the Lord’s wisdom,  and the understanding to apply it in our lives today. Don’t let it be stolen away from us,  but let us cling to your guidance today and see our lives changed,  and let us find comfort in knowing that tools and opportunities are being stripped from the hands of the enemy by the faithful example of our lives,  visible to all. Help us to rest in your strength,  Lord, so that we will remain humble and not proud even as you refine our lives to be more like you. In your authority, crush the enemy beneath our feet, and rebuke him, Lord, for standing in the way of the needy and the oppressed and the afflicted and the meek and the mourning. Come, Holy Spirit,  come, and fill our lives with your righteous and holy and loving nature. And we wait expectantly and cry out,  come Lord Jesus,  come,  and deliver your people from this world of foolishness and wickedness. Amen.