Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
Trustworthy, selfless and candid friends and family make us accountable, responsible and liable. They are like iron that sharpens our perspectives, principles and priorities. We must have an honest friend or a trustworthy family member who would have the liberty to question the use of our time, relationships and money. A person can be promoted to the place of a mentor when we receive advice, suggestions or directions without compulsion, force or pressure. A mentor will never seek his own benefit while advising us. We will not come back with our self-esteem damaged but self-respect polished, after talking to a mentor. There might not be emotional excitement but there will be spiritual enlightenment. The power of two will make us “Accept responsibility for our actions, Be accountable for our results and take ownership for our mistakes”.
The greatest king of Israel, King David had a trusted comrade. Prophet Nathan had the privilege to walk into the private porch of the king to advise and correct him. When David sinned against the Lord by misusing his power. Nathan confronted him, Why did you despise the word of the Lord by doing what is evil in His eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites (2 Samuel 12:9). David repented for abusing the authority that was entrusted to him. David could have concealed his sin and arrested the Prophet to silence his voice. However, David repented for his private secret sin in public and wrote the heartfelt sedulous Psalm 51. Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” (2 Samuel 12:13). A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody” – Thomas Paine.
The power of two:
1. Accountable Partner: Our accountable partner could be our spouse, a family member or an unassuming friend. Don’t pick a person who will always say what you want to hear but will question the uncomfortable and uneasy issues with love. Transparency and sincerity are the core values of an accountable partner. Find one and be one.
2. Responsible Comrade: It is important to be around those who will not let us down when harsh headwinds of oppositions lash at us. We don’t need people who watch us falling off the precipice and then sympathize. We need those who will stop us or lend a hand and pull us out. Be responsible and show responsibility.
- Candid Communicator: Communication must be clear and candid, not rude and brash. Harshness pushes people away but loving, honest communication will add wisdom to the deliberation. Sincerity cannot be hidden and genuineness can be felt. Candid yet careful communications clears the cloudy cacophony. Be candid, clear and concise.
Just as iron sharpens iron, friends and family sharpen the minds of each other.
Proverbs 27:6 The kisses of an enemy may be profuse, but faithful are the wounds of a friend.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, give me the discernment to take genuine correction and be transparent to accountable partners. Sharpen my spiritual life with spiritual mentors. Amen.
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