God made us in a way that we find fulfillment in the work of our hands. There is something in us that enjoys picking fruit, the harvest of seed we planted. And while our modern culture has separated most of us from the fulfillment of bringing in the harvest and we may never have experienced an animal in our care actually giving birth, we are still fulfilled when we contribute through meaningful work. While we each need to find our place in God’s kingdom and that through our own relationship with Him, He has also made us social beings and there is something in us that is only fulfilled through strong relationships. Sadly, not every relationship is good for us as in Proverbs 27:6 (LEB) “The wounds of a friend mean well, but the kisses of an enemy are profane”. In a good and right relationship, a relationship between friends, there are times when we are to help each other by speaking frankly and openly as in Ephesians 4:15 (LEB) “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ”. This may not always be the kind and gentle conversation, in fact, there are times when sparks may fly as in Proverbs 27:17 (LEB) “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”.
Evil Will be Exposed in the Assembly
Proverbs 26:21–28
Better a Rebuke That is Open
The Wounds of a Friend Mean Well
Proverbs 27:6–10
We, those of us who have accepted Jesus Christ, are born into His kingdom and we have acceptance
Ephesians 1:7 (LEB) in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace,
and though we have the revelation of who Jesus Christ is and are sealed by the Holy Spirit who is our teacher and guide, we are all being perfected in
2 Corinthians 3:18 (LEB) And we all, with unveiled face, reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory into glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.
We are being transformed into the image of Christ and this is an ongoing work so as Paul said in
Philippians 3:14 (LEB) I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Paul also said that we should
Ephesians 4:15 (LEB) But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow into him with reference to all things, who is the head, Christ,
If we love each other, it is right for us to help each other come into the fullness of who Christ is and as it says in
Ephesians 4:25 (LEB) Therefore, putting aside the lie, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, because we are members of one another.
or, as it says in
Proverbs 27:6 (LEB) The wounds of a friend mean well, but the kisses of an enemy are profane.
When the Clever Sees Danger He Hides
As Iron Sharpens Iron
Proverbs 27:17–22
There is a religious view of Christ that He was always “nicey-nicey”. Which is defined as “Nice, especially in an impotent or insincere fashion” according to Wiktionary.org. But Jesus did not pander to the desires or thoughts of those around him when they were wrong. Yes, Jesus did walk in the fullness of the fruit of the Spirit and all of these attributes in
Galatians 5:22–23 (LEB) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self control. Against such things there is no law.
and he also demonstrated great passion in
John 2:15–17 (LEB) And he made a whip of cords and drove them all out of the temple courts, both the sheep and the oxen, and he poured out the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. 16 And to the ones selling the doves he said, “Take these things away from here! Do not make my Father’s house a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it is written, “Zeal for your house will consume me.”
Jesus also spoke very plainly to Peter in
Mark 8:33 (LEB) But turning around and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan, because you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but the things of people!”
It is not only OK, but it is also right for us to have straight forward conversations that may even seem contentious at times. How many divisions are there in the body of Christ because one party, or maybe both were unwilling to listen and be changed, to be sharpened by their brother or sister in Christ. Can we clash, and yet love each other enough to get beyond offense and hear the truth?
Proverbs 27:17 (LEB) As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
Riches are Not Forever
Proverbs 27:23–27
In the rhythm of life, there are times of abundance and times that are lean and while some seem to enjoy great abundance throughout their life, there is this reminder in
Proverbs 27:24 (LEB) For riches are not forever, nor a crown for generation after generation.
We all live day by day and as we do, we are also reminded to pay attention to the flow of income God provides for us as it says in
Proverbs 27:23 (LEB) You will surely know the condition of your flock; your heart attends to the herds.
There are things that simply grow wild and there are times when God supernaturally supplies as he did with the manna in Exodus 16:4 and as Jesus did when He fed the thousands in Mark 8:1-9 and Mark 6:31–44. Yet, seedtime and harvest are the way of life in
Genesis 8:22 (LEB) As long as the earth endures, seed and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will not cease.
and we are blessed when we walk in his ways and set our hands to work in
Psalm 128:2 (LEB) You will indeed eat of the labor of your hands; you will be happy and it will be well with you.
By the Rebellion of a Land Her Rulers Increase
Proverbs 28:1–5
Better to be Poor and Walking in One’s Integrity
Proverbs 28:6–10
A Man of Wealth is Wise in His Own Eyes
Proverbs 28:11–15
Study Verses
- Proverbs 27:6–10 The Wounds of a Friend Mean Well
- Proverbs 27:17–22 As Iron Sharpens Iron
- Proverbs 27:23–27 Riches are Not Forever
Today’s Reading
- Proverbs 26:21-28
- Proverbs 27:1-27
- Proverbs 28:1-15
