The Bible says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” I have found out from sharpening my hunting knives that if I do it wrong they become duller than when I started. It is the same with a friend who is not sharpening me, but by his counsel is making me dull and useless. So how do I become sharp through a friend? First, I must have the right stone (friend), and it (their counsel) must be used in the right way.
Friends who make assumptions about me based upon their experience, are like coming to a brook in the desert and finding no water, very disappointing. They assume – based upon what they see. These type of friends are fearful people and cannot be trusted.
Friends who refuse to apply the truth in their own lives – live for themselves. They know God’s law is written in their hearts, and their own conscience even accusing them, but they refuse to let the truth have its work in them personally. People who suppress the truth are the wrong type of stone.
The heart reflects the type of friend who is trying to influence you. A person with a changed heart by God’s Spirit will have love with discernment. They can see what God wants them to see; they hear what God wants them to hear. They know what God wants them to know – so they will say and do what is right. These friends seek praise from God, not from people. Their heartfelt counsel is as sweet as perfume and incense. These people will sharpen you for the work of the Lord; for how He desires to use you.