Devotionals from my Bible app: Masterpieces in Process Proverbs 27:17)

Note before sharing the devotional: lately, I’ve been praying to be able to hear more from the Holy Spirit, and I’ve been watching YouTube podcasts and sermons (and receiving prayers over the internet) to this end. God has been speaking to me about some things, and it has been both good and challenging. A line that stands out to me today from this devotional is as follows: we can also be sharpened by the dearest friend we have—the Holy Spirit. That’s what’s happening. And in fact, I’ve been experiencing a bit of this in my marriage as well. There are some things that have come up that I’ve had to hear which have been hard in the moment, but what I’m also noticing is that, more often than not, God Himself has also been behind it. Lately, I’ve been starting to keep a log of things that have been happening, and it’s now to the point that I need to write many things down in order to keep up. I’m starting to experience what it’s like when things are moving in the spiritual realm but not yet manifesting in the physical realm.

Masterpieces in Process


There’s a verse in Proverbs that’s often quaintly quoted when referring to a close friendship or marriage…

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

Proverbs 27:17 NIV

Yes, we want to encourage each other, cheer each other on, and sharpen each other emotionally, physically, and spiritually. But when you truly think about the implications of such a description, this verse is anything but quaint.


Iron is sharpened through heat and friction, through cutting and slicing. As it is beaten, it is reshaped into something beautiful and purposeful and even better than before.


Sharpening is purposeful, but it can also be painful. It’s intentional friction that often results in a purer, stronger, sharper character. We aren’t sharpened by thoughtless, careless, or unintentional relationships, but we are sharpened by those who lovingly help chip away the excess junk—who can recognize and visualize the masterpiece God wants us to become.


We can be sharpened by mentors, pastors, spouses, teachers, and friends. But we can also be sharpened by the dearest friend we have—the Holy Spirit. The part of God who’s considered the third “person” of the Trinity, the One who does the refining work. The Holy Spirit is like a personal and professional metal-worker who is skilled and deliberate, focused and detailed, trustworthy and true.


“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”


When we surrender to God’s refining work inside of us, we can help others see the work of art in themselves. So today, allow God to sharpen you. Ask Him to reveal the parts of your life that need to be refined, and then surrender to the work He wants to do inside you.

Note after sharing the devotional: to the questions listed in the last slide above, God has been providing answers to both. I would also add that sometimes part of the sharpening is being put in a position to potentially sharpen another person. Considering that I’m non-confrontational by nature, this definitely is true!

Prayer: God, thank You for Your Word, which reveals areas of my life that desperately need Your correction. Send people into my life who will walk with me and sharpen me, as iron sharpens iron. Guide my tongue, so I speak with loving truth and intention to others. In Jesus’s name, Amen.