Under Gods Command

Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. 

It is a wonderful thing to have a friend with whom you can sharpen your mind.  You can discuss certain things with him or her with real profit. There is nothing like a friend who you can sit down and talk about spiritual matters.  You will always come away refreshed and strengthened, and I always learned something.  It’s a wonderful to have a friend like that. 

Mental sharpness comes from being around good people.  And a meeting of minds can help people see their ideas with new clarity, refine them, and shape them into brilliant insights.  This requires discussion partners who can challenge one another and stimulate thought-people who focus on the idea without involving their egos in the discussion; people who know how to attack the thought and not the thinker.  Two friends who bring their ideas together can help each other become sharper.

Proverbs 27:18 He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. 

With all the problems and concerns a leader has, it can be easy to overlook the very people who most deserve attention-faithful employees or volunteers (those who tend the fig trees).  The people who stand behind you, who work hard and help you get the job done, deserve to share in your success.  Be sure that in all your worrying, planning, and organizing, you don’t forget the people who are helping you the most. 

Proverbs 26:13-16  13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the street”. 14 As a door turns on its hinges, so a sluggard turns on his bed.  15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth. 16 A sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven people who answer discreetly.

Those unwilling to work can always find excuses. Yet laziness is more dangerous than a prowling lion: the less you do, the less you want to do, and the less useful you become. Overcome it by taking small steps. Set a specific, realistic goal, identify the actions required, and follow through. Pray for strength and perseverance. Stop making excuses before they make you ineffective.

A door swings back and forth on its hinges but never leaves its place. Likewise, a lazy person tosses and turns in bed without getting up to work.

The lazy person loves sleep so much that he seems hinged to his bed, turning from side to side but going nowhere.

The sluggard is so self-absorbed that he refuses advice and sees no need to learn. He assumes he already has every answer without making any effort. Whether counsel comes from seven wise people or many more, he rejects it unless it fully agrees with him.

The ignorant often fail to recognize their own ignorance.

Proverbs 25:16 If you find honey, eat just enough-too much of it, and you will vomit.

A certain amount of sweetness is wonderful, but after you are full, extra sweetness can make you sick. This could go with verse 17 that instructs the wise not to overdo anything that may lead to disgust and rejection, including overstaying or being overbearing with a friend who may begin to resent him.

Proverbs 25:17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, to much of you and they will hate you. 

We see in this that we are not to wear our welcome out with our neighbors. Close friends enjoy each other, but they also know when it’s time to go home.

Proverbs 20:19: A gossip betrays a confidence, so avoid a man who talks too much

If a person talks about someone else to you (a talebearer), they will talk about you when you are out of sight to someone else. A talebearer is to be avoided. They reveal secrets and stir up strife.

Those who love to spread secrets will flatter to learn them.

Proverbs 20:20 If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness.

We see in this Scripture the opposite of “honor thy father, and thy days will be long upon the earth”.

Our mother and father’s love is probably more than anyone else’s. To curse them is, in essence, to curse yourself. This grievous sin will result in spiritual death.