Iron Sharpens Iron
Scripture Focus:
"As iron sharpens iron, soone person sharpens another." — Proverbs 27:17
From Glory to Glory:
There’s a powerful principle you’ve probably heard before: You are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with.
In other words—your circle of influence greatly impacts who you become.
It matters who you hang out with. It matters who you allow to influence your mind, your decisions, your future. And in a world where influence is just a tap away, we’ve got to open our eyes to the fact that this isn't just about who we sit with at the lunch table—it’s who we scroll with, laugh with, text with, and follow online.
Proverbs 27:17 says,“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” But can I be challenge you? The opposite is also true.
Just as iron can sharpen iron—a dull person can dull you edge.
Someone who's negative, faithless, or toxic can chip away at your peace, your mindset, your momentum. That’s why you’ve got to be intentional. Your circle is either sharpening your edge or stealing your strength. You become what you’re around.
So ask yourself: Are the people in my life making me better—or just busier? Are they pulling me closer to purpose—or dragging me back into old patterns?
And don’t forget this—it’s much easier to pull someone down than to lift someone up.
On the flip side—you’re someone’s “one of five,” too. So I challenge you: be the one who adds value every time you walk in the room. Let your presence shift the atmosphere. Bring the joy. Bring the peace. Bring the wisdom. Make the room better because you showed up.
Be a tool that sharpens and not a weapon that wounds.
So here’s the challenge:
Be the person who adds value when you walk into the room.
Be the voice of faith when fear starts to speak.
Be the one who sharpens others—build them up, don’t tear down them down.
Look for someone to lift every time you show up.
Whether it's at church, at work, or in your group chat—leave people better than you found them. Ironically, when you sharpen others, you benefit from the process.
Challenge Question:
Look at those in your life, are they adding value or subtracting from you?
Journal Prompt:
Right down the names of the people who are in your life? Identify a characteristic for each of them that influences you (are they joyful, negative, ambitious, lazy, etc.)
Additional Scriptures:
Hebrews 10:24–25
Ecclesiastes 4:9–12
Romans 12:4–5
Prayer:
Lord, open my eyes to the power of influence in my life. Give me the wisdom to evaluate my relationships honestly—and the courage to set boundaries where they’re needed. Make me a person who sharpens others, who speaks life, and who adds value everywhere I go. Use me to build up Your people and advance Your Kingdom. Let my presence strengthen those around me, and let my life reflect Your purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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Photo by Maranda Vandergriff on Unsplash