How Iron Sharpens Iron And The Reprobate Mind
by Peter Michael Martinez
The process of sharpening a blade is one of meticulous and patient effort. Often a whet stone is used and the one sharpening will patiently stroke the blade back and forth to bring about the sharpening desired.
We see in the scripture the principle that “Iron sharpens Iron” and so many think they understand this principle.
Generally this statement is used by the argumentative and pugnacious to justify their contentious and reprobate manners.
We see clearly that the FRUIT of the REPROBATE MIND is to DEBATE and being argumentative is a slippery slope that has never born good fruit throughout the scripture.
Let us look at the scripture to improve our understanding of this important principle.
Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
Right away several points jump out from this principle of scripture.
The intention of this verse is clear, the countenance of a FRIEND. One must first cultivate a friendship to even qualify to USE this verse.
This is not a random acquaintance or a complete stranger. This is one with whom you have fellowship and covenant relationship.
Right there this eliminates the “stranger” without relationship on its face.
Those justifying their contentious and disparaging ways as “iron sharpening iron” do not understand the meaning of this scripture or the principles of covenant relationships.
There are those who think, like the Pharisees did with Messiah, that they will make their name in debating and arguing. This is utter folly.
The scripture is clear about Satan’s master Key.
James 3:16 “For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.”
We see from this passage that the DEVIL will cause ENVYING and STRIFE so that there will be CONFUSION and every evil will work.
This is the real intention of those who are contentious in public forums against those with whom they presently disagree.
I say presently because all mankind goes though metamorphoses of thought that will mean the current understanding of a matter is likely to mature and evolve through meditation and application.
The devil uses “envy and strife” to bring confusion and every “evil work” and this strategy is employed to great effect on Social Media and anywhere that “free access” is allowed without vetting or relationship.
There are those given over to contention and believe this is a good way to “sort out issues” as if there is virtue in being contentious and argumentative.
This notion is demonic and manifested in the Garden of Eden in the form of what seemed an innocent question … “Hath Elohim truly said?”
Paul warns Timothy about certain people who would present problems in the work of the ministry.
2 Timothy 3:5-7 “Having a form of godliness (Sabbath Guarding Pious Lifestyle), but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
These are they who wrangle all the day long and yet have no shalom of their own for they deny the power of the REST of Elohiym.
As this verse deals with women in their “divers lusts” it is good to consider the principles we find in the scripture concerning contentious women.
Proverbs 21:19 “It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman.”
Proverbs 27:15 “A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike.”
Now lest we should think this is only a problem for women, let us consider also this admonition.
Proverbs 26:21 “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to fire; so is a contentious man to kindle strife.”
We can all see the first contention after the fall was the murder of Abel by his brother Cain. The countenance of Cain had fallen and he was filled with wrath toward his brother.
The Remnant operate in a spirit of meekness to offer help and true fellowship toward those who have hope of recovering from the Reprobate Mind.
2 Timothy 2:25-26 “In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if Elohiym peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”
We can see that some, whom did not consider Assembly covenant relationships important, they are fallen to the snare of the devil, a narcissist who does not submit to Elohim, and are themselves taken captive by him at his will.
There is no question that such behavior was never considered to be “Iron sharpening Iron” as the contentious would have you believe to allow their unruly and egotisitical methods to have place.
1 Corinthians 11:16 “But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the Assemblies of Elohim.”
Notice Paul is clear that “we have no such custom” and so the notion that this is biblical and sound is foolishness.
It is actually the “wrathful” that are attracted to strife and division that we must see and detect as those who guard Shalom.
Proverbs 15:18 “A wrathful man stirreth up strife: but he that is slow to anger appeaseth strife.”
Proverbs 16:28 “A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.”
By contrast, we see that the Remnant are “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Ruach in the bond of Shalom.”
Those without, whom are given over to a Reprobate debating mind, are actually at war with themselves and are in the process of self-destruction.
These are “spots in your feasts” and are like a cancer that must be cast out.
The remedy is always the same … that person must be removed. This is how the rest learn that this behavior is unacceptable in the Kingdom of Elohim.
Proverbs 22:10 “Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease.”
This admonition is a strong rebuke to the notion that contention is acceptable.
Proverbs 26:20 “Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth.”
In YashaYahu (Isaiah) we see that Elohim denounces any form of STRIFE and DEBATE as a reason to “fast” and calls this the “fist of wickedness” which many use to “make your voice to be heard on high.”
The word “Countenance” is Panim which means the face and implies the improving of ones outlook, feeling, and general sense of well being.
Those who ignore the portion of the scripture which says “Friend” are those who make entitled presumption that they are exempt from the need to cultivate relationship.
Only a reprobate mind thinks themselves so entitled.
These are they who employ themselves to come “bring correction” or “share revelation” that no one is asking them for.
There are too many reasons why people are inclined to behave this way but none of them are acceptable and all are in the process of self-destruction.
The fruit of the Reprobate mind clearly includes DEBATING which the reprobate mind refuses to let go of. It is a stronghold that will lead to their own destruction.
It is this very contentious heart that will actually argue with Messiah directly to say “Lord Lord, did we not prophesy in thy name, cast out devils in they name and in thy name do many great and marvelous works?”
We know what HIS answer will be.
So let us look carefully at the FRUIT of the Reprobate Mind.
You may suddenly realize that someone is attempting to claim “iron sharpening iron” as they contend with you, as cover, so you ignore the REPROBATE MIND directly in front of you.
Romans 1:28-32 “And even as they did not like to retain Elohiym in their knowledge, Elohiym gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient (improper and repulsive);
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, DEBATE, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of Elohiym, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of Elohiym, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.”
Worthy of DEATH. This is Elohim’s sentence.
You will notice that these who are given over to this “mind” are not only debaters but covenant-breakers which is a dis-qualifier for the counsel of a FRIEND.
A friend is one with whom you MAINTAIN covenant relationship until the KING comes or you perish and is NOT a fleeting “social media” relationship without depth or authenticity.
You will see these same people are heady and high minded, are proud, despiteful, boasters, and inventors of evil things.
So what happens if you catch a REPROBATE who really isn’t interested in your “countenance” but their own ego?
In my observation, if these Reprobates do not obtain your acquiescence, then you will see the UNMERCIFUL and malicious manner in which they will conduct themselves against you for the grave sin of not accepting their “counsel” in order to punish you.
These are those who cannot be bothered to have authentic relationship. You either accept their reprobate ways or face their wrath.
You will be subject to backbiting, whispering, maligning of your character, and all manner of murder that is in their heart, all because you didn’t accept their drive-by “corrections” fast enough, and rebukes that are not grounded in love but their own ego.
This is at epidemic levels in this hour.
1 Corinthians 14:10 “There are, it may be, so many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without signification.”
Those who are indeed able to be Iron that sharpens Iron as the proverbs declares, are not short term, casual, drive-by relationships but are walking with their FRIEND through ups and downs with a covenant heart.
The process of sharpening requires patience and diligent effort over time which the impatient reprobate finds as offensive as taking the time for a simple greeting.
When anyone writes to you or LAUNCHES into some topic without so much as the King’s greeting, you can be assured that it was NOT the Ruach of Elohim that sent them.
Luke 10:5 “And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace be to this house.”
You are wise to always take note of those who you have to slow down and remind to be polite. Their lack of respect indicates that the matter they are raising is more about their ego, than your countenance.
No one who is concerned for your well being will skip the KING’s greeting no matter what the issue at hand. The authentic will want to LIFT your countenance and improve your success, not boost their own ego or compete in any way.
The “Iron sharpens Iron” principle of the Kingdom is NEVER a thin veil for strife, contention, competition, or division, but instead is the manifestation of the value of long term covenant relationships that Elohim will bring you into that help you become the person you were meant to be.
In Assembly we develop LONG TERM and COVENANT relationships … something the REPROBATE has already destroyed in their own lives and, if you let them, they will destroy it in yours.
Here endeth the lesson.
