Iron Sharpeneth Iron

The Psalmist wrote, "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Prov. 27:17). If I am wrong, I want to be right. If I am right, and my friend is wrong, I want him to get right so we will both be right. If I am wrong but my friend is right, I want him to show me the truth, which involves my understanding that I was wrong. That is the proper way to improve the world. If I am in error, I want the other fellow to tell me so, but I would appreciate it if he tells me in the proper spirit. If you have a friend who is wrong, you have a responsibility to tell him so. If he is of the proper nature--honest and earnest, and desirous to do right--he will appreciate the effort to help him. If his attitude is poor, he may respond in negative ways, which may be in the form of personal attacks designed to hurt. "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee" (Prov. 9:8.)

"He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them" (Prov. 24:24. 25). If you are on the wrong road, though you may think that you are not, would you appreciate it if someone gently, kindly, meekly and sincerely showed you your error, and then helped you to get right? "Thou shalt...rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him" (Lev. 19:17).

The principle is clear, but how the hearer responds is up to the hearer (James 1:23, 25). Even the apostle Paul's words were not always received by brethren. He wrote to the Galatians, "Am I become your enemy by telling you the truth?" (Gal. 4:16). And Paul warned that the time would "come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth" (1 Tim. 4:2-4).

We don't want to be people who have itching ears. We should all be willing to openly and honestly discuss any biblical subject to find out whether we are following the right path. With love toward one another, we can all learn and grow, and more fully understand the will of the Lord.

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