Sharp or Dull?
A lot of times when we want to say that someone is really smart, we will say he or she is "sharp." It means having good insights and being able to pick up on things quickly. I know some people are born with more ability in this area than others, but I believe much of it is learned. We can either grow up to be dull or sharp based on what we gain from the Lord, our parents, and other people. I believe that is what is at the bottom of two things which Solomon was inspired by God to record for us. (Proverbs 26:12; 27:17) Let me try to explain what the Lord showed me from these verses.
If we believe we are wise, we will think that we are right about everything. We will not listen to the Lord. Also, we will not listen to other people. We will simply try to get them to accept our position without considering what they have to say. That is a very foolish way to think of ourselves. That is why Solomon said that there is more hope for a fool than for a person who is wise in his or her own eyes.
Then, Solomon told us why. "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." God gave us parents, friends, teachers, and others to sharpen us. When we rub what we know against what they know, we get sharper. This is a part of being human and having relationships. Yes, we learn from God, but we learn from others, too. That is how we become sharp.
Therefore, we have the choice. We can be dull by only listening to ourselves, or we can be sharp by listening to God and others, and comparing what they say to what we know already. We can either get duller and duller by shutting ourselves off, or we can become sharper and sharper by engaging with the Lord and others.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 28-30.
If we believe we are wise, we will think that we are right about everything. We will not listen to the Lord. Also, we will not listen to other people. We will simply try to get them to accept our position without considering what they have to say. That is a very foolish way to think of ourselves. That is why Solomon said that there is more hope for a fool than for a person who is wise in his or her own eyes.
Then, Solomon told us why. "Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." God gave us parents, friends, teachers, and others to sharpen us. When we rub what we know against what they know, we get sharper. This is a part of being human and having relationships. Yes, we learn from God, but we learn from others, too. That is how we become sharp.
Therefore, we have the choice. We can be dull by only listening to ourselves, or we can be sharp by listening to God and others, and comparing what they say to what we know already. We can either get duller and duller by shutting ourselves off, or we can become sharper and sharper by engaging with the Lord and others.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Proverbs 28-30.