The Practice Partner
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
Proverbs 27:17 KJV
This is an original fictional illustration, not a historical report or an added Bible event.
Maddie and Rose agreed to practice spelling together. Rose wanted to skip the words she kept missing. Maddie suggested they try those slowly instead of pretending they were finished.
When Maddie struggled with a different word, Rose helped her too. Neither girl knew every answer. Working together made both of them stronger.
Proverbs 27:17 gives us the picture of iron sharpening iron. Good friendship can strengthen understanding and encourage what is right. That requires both kindness and honesty.
Choose companions who help you grow, and offer the same care in return. A friendship is healthier when both people can learn instead of one always needing to appear perfect.
Keep the passage in context
The image of iron sharpening iron describes the influence people have on one another. Good companionship can strengthen understanding and character. Mere disagreement or harshness is not automatically helpful sharpening.
Read further: Proverbs 27 in the King James Bible.