How does iron sharpen iron? 

I watched a video today of how iron actually sharpens iron and realized how painful and uncomfortable it can be when it is time to be sharpened but in view of that I also realized the blessing it is to be sharpened as an individual.

I heard it be said that as a man advances in age the harder it is for him to develop friendships, resulting in him becoming enclosed with no outlets to confide in. which in turn only leads to the outlets becoming pornography, alcoholism, infidelity, instability or even abuse (whether it’s his wife or children). 

But why is this so?

I believe that men today as we progress in age and begin to become husbands and parents there becomes a stronger wrestle with pride. Resulting in us neglecting the blessing of being sharpened by other men. 

We lie to ourselves by believing we can figure it out. 

We lie to ourselves by believing that we should know everything by now. 

We lie to ourselves by thinking that if we allow others in our business it’ll prove our ignorance. 

We lie to ourselves by thinking that our family would not see us as leaders but poor followers.

Which all of these are lies, implanted by Satan. 

In the video I watched I found that iron has to be heated at a high degree until it is piercing red in color and once it is that hot it is beaten with another piece of iron until it is shaped into a sharp pointed structure which it then becomes effective, beautiful and useful. 

Here is where I am getting at, as men we need to be beaten (corrected), we need to be heated (Challenged) in order for us to be sharpened (wise), for iron cannot sharpen itself. This means that we need to be willing to release the pride and the lies that try to individualize us and embrace the fact that we need each other’s brotherhood. 

We can’t figure it all out alone. 

We don’t know everything. 

Other’s advice does not make us ignorant. 

The willingness to take instruction is what makes us a leader. 

These are things that I am constantly reminded of which humbles me and encourages me to embrace the friendship of others.