Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who guards his master will be honored.
As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects the man.
Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied, and never satisfied are the eyes of man.
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.
Crush a fool in a mortar with a pestle along with crushed grain, yet his folly will not depart from him. Proverbs 27:17-22
We all need another person who sharpens us up! That one friend who both encourages and challenges us to become the person God wants us to be. Solomon reminds us of the importance of those precious people who can “inspect” our lives. He goes on to say that introspection is equally important, wherein we look at ourselves honestly- as in water face reflects face.
One thing we often discover is that our eyes may be focusing upon ungodly or temporal pleasures that never really satisfy. Its then that God purifies us like silver or gold in a furnace (the dross of bad character is separated). His final warning is that a fool rarely changes. Why? No inspection or introspection.
Who has God placed in my life for inspection? How honest am I with introspection?
God, as this day begins, may You place near me those who are appointed by You to help me grow and become who You desire me to be. I thank you for those I know who fulfill that role.
