It Starts Small

I got a bow for my birthday last year. It was actually the one I had given this person, so I am not sure if it was a gift, or a return of a gift since they were able to buy a much better one. It was not something I asked for, but I was interested in learning about how to shoot one because I was trying to invest in someone else’s hobby. At the start they seemed excited to share what they knew, but eventually after while told me to pretty much go find someone else to help me. I put the bow down and have not picked it up since. That whole incident opened my eyes to just how important mentorship in our lives is. Our mentorship towards others and when we seek mentorship.

¹⁷ Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend. Proverbs 27:17

Many take this verse to mean having a good friend, or honesty that improves one’s character and calls out sin in a loving way. Except you have to look at the verse in context. It is, metaphorical and right in the middle of the end of the book of Proverbs. King Solomon is speaking in the last few chapters about the behavior and attitude of us all. Most of all of Proverbs speaks about the positive and negative interactions and behaviors of people.

Iron sharpens Iron

When crafting a tool or sword, a craftsman takes a piece of metal and uses a harder piece of metal to sharpen it. This tool requires maintenance over the life of the tool to maintain its sharpness. A dull tool or sword loses its usefulness. The tool started out dull and had a rough edge. As the craftsman pulled it over a harder metal substance, the tool would begin to be refined. The first part of this verse would have been a very familiar process during the life of King Solomon.

The second half of the verse, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend, explains the first part of the verse. Like a piece of hard iron will sharpen another piece of iron, the interactions of people will shape and change each other. There is a refinement in character that occurs by the interactions of two people. Being in the presence of a strong believer, the kind that walks the walk and talks the talk, can refine another person.

The verses before this verse convey this idea. For example:

⁵ Open rebuke is better than secret love. ⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Proverbs 27:5-6

They align with the behaviors encouraged in the New Testament. We are encouraged to call out sin, encourage each other, and lift each other up in prayer. These are all ways of sharpening each other.

Mentorship

This idea of metal sharpening metal is also a message to us as believers. GOd never intended us to just be saved and that be the end of the story. He has built all sorts of talent and knowledge about particular things in our lives. Our knowledge about our jobs and hobbies is an opportunity to mentor someone else and pass along what we know. People want to grow, learn and understand. They look to those who have a deeper understanding of a craft.

God calls us to be that harder metal in the lives around us. Not just our immediate circle, but outside that circle. We need to possess the attitude of being a helper.

³ The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; ⁴ That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, ⁵ To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2″3-5

Women are called to be mentors to other women.

⁶ Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

Parents are called to mentor their children.

5 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed: ² Feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; ³ Neither as being lords over God’s heritage, but being examples to the flock. ⁴ And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away. ⁵ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 1 Peter 5:1-5

Peter writes and tells us that we are to grow in our spiritual maturity. To not just talk the talk, but be an example by walking the walk. To not only minister but mentor those around us. He also tell us us so submit ourselves under the mentorship of others. Mentor and be mentored.

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. Proverbs 22:6

²⁰ He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed. Proverbs 13:20

Give and receive instruction. How?

We need to get outside out comfort bubbles. We have so many communities we are a part of. We have various social circles going on around us. We have talents and knowledge to give, we just have to choose to want to give it. It starts with our relationship with Jesus.

Are you the type of person who is approachable?
Do you enjoy helping others, encouraging them, building them up?
Do you hoard your talent or do you desire to share it with others and teach others?
Do you have a reputation in your job, community or church as someone who is helpful?

⁸ So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls, because ye were dear unto us. 1 Thessalonians 2:8

What about on a spiritual level? We all have had seasons of change that have come by pain and suffering. It is fun to talk about our job and hobbies, but what else is hidden inside you that God can use to help and mentor those around you? What has God helped you to overcome that can be an encouragement and mentoring to others suffering or afflicted with the same thing? What testimony can you encourage others with? Our past is our connection to others.

Do you have a mentor? Can you be a mentor for others? I believe both are needed in our lives.