As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. [Proverbs 27:17 NIV]
The relationships we have with those around us can make us better people, or they can do damage. Just like the way you sharpen a knife is either effective or will make the knife blunt.
If you hold the knife at right angles to the sharpener, you will only make the edge dull and ineffective. If you sharpen the knife almost parallel to the iron, it will be extremely sharp.
The same happens with our close relationships. If the people we spend much of our time with are at cross-purposes to our spiritual walk, they will inevitably have a dulling effect on our own lives. On the other hand, if we share our lives with people with the same values and spiritual priorities, they will give us an edge as we walk on our journey.
I guess it is just like the advice I once received. Rub shoulders with those you wish to emulate–they do rub off on you. That’s the kind of friendships I aim for. I want to be effective and not dull in my world. How about you?
Romancing The Rock 
Let us aim to be shaped and sharpened by the qualities of those who reflect the character of our maker. An awesome blog. Thanks for sharing. Bless u.
Thanks Rueben. Amen to that! 🙂
This makes me think of unity. It’s when we are unified we are the most effective. Also, the same piece of iron that blunts, can sharpen, depending on it’s position. So we can choose whether to be in unity or not.