Proverbs 27:17

Proverbs 27:17

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17 ESV)We see in this verse an illustration of someone taking two iron tools in hand and sharpening them against one another. Sharpening a tool in this way requires work; sparks may fly and rust and dirt will be removed. After all the sweat and dust are spent, the tools are made usable and razor sharp! Sharpening requires skill, but tools in the hand of a skilled sharpener make dull, rusty tools effective for use.

This iron-sharpening illustration describes the way accountability works in the Christian life. Our Christian friendships and relationships require work, time, and sometimes confrontation. However, if we have a desire to know God more and become better instruments for the Lord’s service, we will love, encourage, confront, and exhort one another as iron sharpens iron. Holding one another to account doesn’t mean that we should browbeat our friends, but we should be willing to call one another out when we find one another in sin. We must have a desire to love one another and make our church family more like Christ. By holding one another to account as iron sharpens iron, we make one another more effective tools for the Lord’s service. Iron sharpens iron; this is the essence of Biblical accountability.