“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
Last week, we talked about how strong friendships help us when we struggle and how true friends are willing to make sacrifices for each other. This week, let’s look at another important part of friendship: helping each other grow.
Think about a knife. Over time, it gets dull and doesn’t work as well. To make it sharp again, it has to rub against another piece of iron. In the same way, good friends help us become stronger, wiser, and more like the people God wants us to be.
A real friend doesn’t just tell you what you want to hear. They encourage you to make good choices, stay away from things that could hurt you, and keep following God. Sometimes that means having honest conversations that aren’t always easy. But those conversations can help us grow.
It’s also important to ask yourself: Am I helping my friends become better, or am I leading them in the wrong direction?Friendship goes both ways. God wants us to encourage, support, and challenge each other to live with integrity and kindness.
The people you spend the most time with will influence you. Choose friends who help you grow, and be the kind of friend who helps others grow too.
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Reflection Questions:
- Who is a friend that has helped you become a better person?
- How have your friends influenced your choices lately?
- What is one way you can encourage a friend this week?
Prayer: God, thank You for the friends You have placed in my life. Help me choose friendships that draw me closer to You. Make me the kind of friend who encourages others, speaks truth with kindness, and helps people grow. Amen.