Proverbs 27

PROVERBS 27

"As iron sharpens iron,
So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
(vs 17)

This verse speaks of the importance of fellowship, and accountability. We are strengthened in our own personal walk, and as the body of Christ, as we meet together (Heb 10:25), as we pray together (James 5:14-16), as we intercede (Eph 6:18-19), as we share the body and blood of Christ together (Acts 2:42-47)

Brothers & sisters, I cannot stress enough the need for fellowship, and I could go on and on on this topic, but I want to take a look at a couple other verses today...

"Whoever keeps the fig tree will eat its fruit;
So he who waits on his Master will be honored.
As in water face reflects face,
So a man’s heart reveals the man."
(vs 18-19)

One of my favorite Psalms, that talks a great deal about the relationship between our behavior and the blessings of the Lord, Psalm 37, exhorts us to wait on the Lord, our Master, and walk in His way.

"Wait on the LORD,
And keep His way,
And He shall exalt you to inherit the land;
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it."
- Psalm 37:34

King David, who knew well that relationship, and desired to receive the blessings of the Lord, cried out to Him -
"Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting."
- Psalm 139:23-24

David wanted his heart to be pure and blameless before God, and asked Him to bring conviction where it was needed, that he might repent and turn from any wickedness. He did not try to tell God what was in his heart, rather he asked God to point out any areas in it that might cause offense to Him or any others, that he could make it right, and be found walking in the Lord’s way. That was made very real when, through the Prophet Nathan, God brought conviction upon King David for a sin which he had committed. David made no excuse for his action, but immediately repented. (2 Sam 12:13)

May our actions always be pleasing unto the Lord, and if we do slip, and commit iniquity, may our response be to immediately acknowledge that we have caused offense, to repent before God, and allow Him to cleanse us (1 John 1:9). David was defiled by that which he had done, but his heart was revealed in his response to the conviction brought upon him for his sin. He repented, fasted and prayed before all for the offense he had committed.

In a New Testament account, we read of Peter’s admonition to a man whose actions brought offense - "your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” (Acts 8:21-23)

The Apostle saw what was in the man’s heart, by his behavior.


Many times I’ve heard said, "... but God knows my heart". I remember using that expression myself, and usually to make excuse for something I did that was not quite right. But as the Scripture tells us, it is what is seen that is true of us. "As in water face reflects face, So a man’s heart reveals the man." When we look into a pool of water, or into a mirror, we see what is there, and so it is with our hearts... our behavior shows what is in our hearts, and reveals to others and to God who we truly are.

If we are one of His, then we will show forth the fruit of the Spirit of God - "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control." (Gal 5:22)

If we are of the world, then that is what is in our hearts, and that is what will be revealed when push comes to shove. If what is revealed in our behavior is wicked, then we will be cut off from the promised inheritance of God. The Lord will not accept the excuse "but I really have a good heart." If our deeds are evil, then we are defiled.

"That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness.
All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man."- Mark 7:20-23

We can tell people all about the kind of person that we are, but, friends, the proof is not in words, but in action. How we behave is who we are. John writes -
"Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

We will know by this that we are of the truth, and will assure our heart before Him in whatever our heart condemns us; for God is greater than our heart and knows all things.

Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us."
-1 John 3:18-23


The enemy will often play on our hearts, and try to condemn us of things that are not True. But, as John wrote, if we are actually loving God, and one another in deed and truth, then our hearts are assured before Him. We can have confidence in Him, not because of things we say, but because we have obeyed His commands, and it is evident in the things that proceed from our hearts.

Dear saints, may we be living our lives free from condemnation, as we walk according to the Spirit (Rom 8:1-4). But may we seek, and welcome, the conviction of that same Spirit, to reveal any wicked, offensive ways within us that will defile us, that we may seek His help, and even the help of our brothers in Christ, to keep us in the "way everlasting."

Thank You, Lord God, for Your words of Truth and Life. May they sink into our very being, our soul, our heart, and cause us to become those with whom the Master is pleased. Guide us, Lord, and keep us in Your Way.

God bless you and keep you,

Michael


The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold,
And a man is valued by what others say of him
(vs 21)