Iron Sharpens Iron, yet we Choose to Remain Dull!

How dull are we becoming as imperfect people living in this deceptive world where hiding our weakness is futile?

In the flesh, we struggle with imbalance hiding our flaws and covering our truth rather than helping one another with genuine iron sharpening.

God's Spirit fills and settles into the heart creating a necessary focal point. We have access to His living word the template of His example, unfortunately, we limit its practice.

Once aware of how God sharpens and instructs, as His student, we should want to form a brotherhood where we share in the act of loving accountability to His word, but, this broken world keeps us lazy.

We need to apply what we learn!

I want accountability in my life, I do, but, I am having trouble finding similar yokes striving for Christlikeness.

In recent years, the yoke of man has become frail, made of splintered wood. Unlike that of my Jesus, who tells me, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:29-30

In the present day, our wooden harnesses have become rotten and in ill repair, as opposed to iron which is firm and tough to penetrate. I don't want to believe that people find it amusing to sit by watching as people disintegrate, however, our idleness concerns.

If iron sharpens iron, why do we grovel in the seeds of pestilence in silence? If we are to practice this sharpening across the land, why as Christians do we choose to remain dull?

In my quiet disdain, aloneness seeps into my core, filling it with an innate hunger for salvation's accountability. The conundrum of existence couples with feelings of isolation, plaguing my spiritual walk as I try to navigate the deceptive attacks.

Relationship with my Jesus provides the understanding that I am never alone. Still, I continue to check my circles for temporal saints to come along and reciprocate the account to enhance our faith walk.

Why can't we unite standing firm in the truth of His love as opposed to the worldly definitions of purpose?

Where are my brethren? Why do they keep their distance in my quest?

We coexist with the ploys of corruption. Does this mean we should deny sin as many choose the easy route of congruous apathy after the pack?

If I cower in fear of accountability, believing anger or suffering may come from it, should this stop me from doing what is right? Not! And yet this happens as generational acceptance is masking our denial to act!

Subconscious stares shoot with earthbound judgment as one reaches to hold the wounded. An intense listening ear lingers with the purpose of gathering a story of gossip not caring for the heart.

There are actions or trumping of faith in a prideful stance. The mere look of antipathy to move some from our path. A lack of loving grace displayed in the chaos of a storm. We claim a Christian walk, how shameful as we stumble to preserve self, as opposed to the submissive humility we should embody in a sinful trial.

Accountability is a means of keeping unity in our faith journey while focusing on the perfect testimony of Christ. Realizing that the instant I see sin in another, at that moment, I am neglecting my sin.

Few appear to want the accountability that comes with truth in fellowship. Oh Lord, forgive us our human nature, cleanse us to the wholeness of your grace and mercy. Cause our hunger and thirst for You to sustain us for the submission to Your will.

The practice of scriptural accountability in our society of sin feels unnatural. No doubt we neglect this gift leaving a receiver convinced they're unloved. This idea is ludicrous! God wants us to love unconditionally as He loves. The account of His word is part of that. Why aren't doing it?

When people become defensive or worse offensive to accountability it becomes lost to the assumption, or ignored as a shield from danger. We shut down as opposed to making it okay to admit our struggles.

Prayer is the main ingredient in the recipe for change. I love how through prayer, we can surrender to the power of the Holy Spirit to change our heart.

Haters hate as we try to stand firm holding to the truth of scripture. Many want to do the same, but they will cave. It gets uncomfortable and the numbers of those standing firm diminish. Turning against one another in civil, spiritual warfare allows this to happen to leave one winner, and his desire to create division. Are we going to let that happen to assist in the dirty work?

Accountability in a relationship shouldn't ignite hate, but rather enhance truth and love in all circumstances. The uncomfortable feelings of defensiveness come from the lack of use. To do anything well, one must spend time in the practice of a skill. How sad that Christians shy from the thing that can unify our walks.

We've become desensitized in a world full of sinful corruption. No one wants to stand against, stand-alone or for that matter stand with God, after all, they can't see Him. To stand firm would take faith. Is it easier to avoid, hide, or deny, believing the idea that we are powerless against sins' enormity? This very thought process is what is allowing sin to become the norm.

But it says; with the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. God is always there in the storms and still we are throwing up the white flag of distasteful submission to sin. This is how we become dull; no one wants to take the risk of sharpening one another with His word.

By our thoughtless demolition, we misconstrue the precious word of God. Shouldn’t we humbly seek the solace it provides? Do we unintentionally compromise its perfection? Afraid of what! The truth?

As Christians, one hopes we display the actions of Jesus Christ, who lives within us. But, we don't do as we want. Our flesh impedes our action's.

We can make the mistakes of pointing fingers or standing by and watching others bleed. Truthfully, the sin of omission is as palpable as the pulse of a dying heart. Instead, we should reach for the flawed hand, grasping it in our own, holding one another to the truths' absolute.

"Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage —with great patience and careful instruction." - 2 Timothy 4:2

As sinners, we experience seasons, and our seasons are changing. Yet, in the heat of the storm, we tend to choose a side for shelter, or an idol of protection. As opposed to remaining centered with the armor of God. A constant web of lies is calling for attention to the prisoners in this spiritual war, a war that is raging to win souls.

A Christ-centered heart leads the troops, seeking to bring everyone home from the battlefield. Satan wants to prevail. He doesn't discriminate in his attack as he wants evil to win, but he will lose.

God allows these deflections of sin. He restricts their impact, providing His Spirit for guidance. God calls us to stand firm even in our suffering and persecution, lighting the way in the darkness through prayer, is anybody listening? Stand firm and surrender in prayer!

"Put on the armor of God beware the schemes of the devil." Ephesians 6:11 Trust that our Father wants to deepen His relationship with us, through every season of life. We can love one another when we are making serious mistakes. Whether right or wrong, we can show love because God does just that. He works with us individually, but together we need more light on our paths or no one will see them.

The barrage of sins repeats encouraging the denial of truth in Christ. How long does submitting to sin give sustenance? We don't choose to speak to fellow Christians to prove sovereignty or righteousness. This act would cause us be part of the stray from the purpose of our life.

Of course, we should share conversations in the firmness of God's word but, encourage everyone to deflect as little as possible. As written the word says, “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over the sinner who repents than over ninety–nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke15: 7

Repent while in the flesh as we seek to rejoice in the heavens. Keeping balance isn't difficult if in thought and action we become vessels of light and love. Be alert, if it sounds like a sin, feels like a sin, and acts like a sin, sin it is.

No need to respond to the judging eye rather seek truth and compromise as we share with one another. This is impossible if we lack self-discovery. Those who live in the flesh are under attack and merely by God's grace is their battle one. So repent, pray, and love. To perpetuate sin upon sin is to use Satan's ploys to separate us from God.

Often in a crisis, we hear the sins mounting as reluctant witnesses to the throw of the dart. When the focus remains in sin, and or our own protection, we block the power of the Holy Spirit adding dissension to the battle. Why do we not collectively weep at our lack of obedience?

It's hard to find a prayer circle. But it's easy to swoop into a gossip corner, keeping our heads down, absent in fear. This is wrong and causes a sour feeling to swell in the stomachs' of men.

A corner will trap, where, a circle creates a power source. Children in their innocence give example after example of the strength and unity of these circles. Remembering games of Ring around the Rosie, or making a powerful whirlpool circle in the local swimming pool.

Still, as brothers and sisters, we forget to form these circles neglecting to reach out in submission to the joyful Spirit that unites us. To judge is not the answer, rather recognizing, and of course, submitting in repentance to any deception that separates us from our Father. Love all in their sin, as they are not the problem, form prayer circles around them and pray for divine intervention.

We will destroy the church. The church is the people, and thus the time is now to share the Good News. How do we do this when the focus is persistently spent with infighting within our churches? Satan laughs as we scramble to judge, hurt, separate and look away. We must lift our heads while God washes clean the slate for us to start anew in Him.

We wish to live in the truth that is given, tested and withstands all sin; that truth that the greatest fruit of the spirit is to love. We are not responsible for the deflections of others; we have enough deflections of our own.

In a perfect world, all is given to the prayerful surrender and the intervention of the Holy Spirit as He guides. He wants iron-sharpening-iron! His will is for us is to use our swords for the right battles. There is limited time for the saving of souls, even less, if we busy ourselves with the stomping of those who already know Him.

If distracted by this separatism, of life’s sin among God’s warriors, Satan gains a foothold and pulls us down to his level. Come on Christians, we are called together to sharpen and not to stay in the shadows of deceit, dull and lifeless.

God is, was, and will be and He has taught truths

To account is not to judge

To let go is to let God

To prompt thought in biblical conversation is not to separate

To choose sides keeps one from their center

To share truth is not to hurt

To shame is to blame

To argue and complain is futile

To forgive is grace

To show grace is mercy

To intimidate is harmful

To honor God is to hold Him as perfect not putting idols before Him

To judge is to sin

To not hurt when loving without condition is difficult

To bounce back each day from sin, and sin released toward you, is to live in this world

To love anyway is purpose

To believe is to know God has it all covered