Iron Sharpens Iron

I’m revealing a little something here today. I know, the election is over and what is done is done. But, and this is a big BUT, there are some lessons that I have learned and just maybe you can learn something too.



I was talking with a friend, a good friend of mine. We haven’t seen one another in a long time. We were busy catching up when we happened upon the subject of the election. I am purposefully not mentioning names and besides, you don’t know this person anyway.



Anyhow, in our conversation she mentioned to me that she voted for Obama. I was silent. I didn’t breathe. I didn’t move. I was stunned. I know this person. Or at least I thought I did. What happened?





While I was hurt beyond measure and very confused, I recovered and managed to squeak out, “well, you know me. I will always vote according to Biblical morals and values, period.” I heard the catch in her voice when she responded “I want to be able to do that to.”



I hung up the phone and cried. I absolutely cried. I cried with my daughter, then again later with my husband. Then I cried out to the Lord. And here is the message I got.



While you were in close proximity with your friend, you held one another up. You discussed scripture and Godly thinking. You prayed together and held one another accountable. Now that you are far away from one another, there is no one in her life to remind her of the ways of the Lord.







God laid Proverbs 27:17 on my heart: “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend (From The New Living Translation). “



How true is that verse?



We become like those we are friends with. If we constantly surround ourselves with people who love the Word of God, who pray and who praise the Lord, then we will find ourselves doing more of those same things. We challenge one another. We constantly encourage one another to be more, do more…whether it be good or bad. If we are hanging with and forming relationships with those who are worldly…we will become more like the world. We will justify our actions and forget about holiness and righteousness.



I pondered my friend and I saw the events in her life for what they were. After my departure, she surrounded herself with lukewarm Christians who also crave the world, Christians who can and do justify behavior in order to have the best of both worlds.



I challenge you today to ask yourself…am I a lukewarm Christian?



Lord, draw us unto yourself. Change us oh Lord into your image. Help us to see ourselves for what we truly are and give us strength to make the changes you require in us.



Thank you for taking the time to grow with me this Wednesday!

Darlene Shortridge

Author of Until Forever, Forever Blessed and the brand new release, The Letter.













www.BooksByAmanda.com