putting ourselves out for friends

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. Proverbs 27:17 NLT

Last night I had a friend stay over as he had let his house out, and was on his way to another town to visit family. This friend and I have often conflicted.  He tends to be critical and I hate that, so invariably I challenge it. I am getting better at doing this with humility and gentleness. I think the Lord put this friend in my life to be the sandpaper,  or the iron as this scripture says.

This morning he was thinking of going back to his home to install irrigation to plants out the front of his house. I cautioned him that there was a woman and child now at his house and it may not be received well. Finally, he listened and went his way.

We need to put ourselves out for our friends by being the iron as well. It takes effort and self-control. Try it! It produces fruit of the Spirit.  Amen!

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