“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another,” (Proverbs 27:17 NIV). Then there’s Leviticus 19:17-18: “You shall not hate your brother in your heart, but you shall reason frankly with your neighbor, lest you incur sin because of him. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord.” Human interaction is confrontational at its core. At times we are confronted by what we don’t like about someone and sometimes we are confronted by what we admire about someone. The very nature of human interaction is confrontational. At some point, every relationship challenges the resident selfishness within each of us. Confrontation without bitterness is one of life’s finest gifts, providing a powerful, life-giving force of good in us and through us to others. Learning to love others through God’s love is transformative. Lord, You are the Potter I am the clay, mold me into the man that pleases you. Thank you for those You use to shape me.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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