As Iron Sharpens Iron

Contrast teaches. None of us want to be the arrogant, unanointed buffoon that God sees as an idiot. We instead want to be favored by God and entrusted with His anointing as good citizens and mentors to the next generation. But can we adequately judge ourselves if our lens of inspection is filtered with unfocused heart motives and deceptive theologies?

When God tasked me to assess the churches locally, I wanted to be used by God for productive investment to advance His Kingdom. I still want that. But what I met in my efforts to obey God was a less than receptive audience who didn’t seem to want the same thing.  

“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17NIV)

Constructive conflict is important to grow in Christ-like maturity. We must be willing to examine ourselves without bias, allow those who love us to point out weaknesses in our character and technique, and invite God to perform surgery on our wayward hearts. It’s not comfortable, especially if we thought that we had already arrived at a healthy level of success.  

Maybe it will be helpful to hear some of the descriptive words that God has used when He talks with me about the pastors. About one of the pastors, God said “He hasn’t trusted me to empower him, so I have not anointed him. He’s more comfortable with a book-learning approach than being Spirit-led.” Another pastor was described by God as being more charismatic, but “he fakes it when he hasn’t spent quality time with me.” Another pastor was described as humble, willing to be teachable, approachable, and communicative. God values sincerity.

Some of those pastors have been a little too sassy with me by intentionally ignoring my private messages or blocking me on social media platforms. It’s ok though because I too have been a little sassy with God when He forced me to listen to their sermons. Not much about this process has been comfortable, but maybe iron sharpened iron. Maybe some cried out to God and He heard their pleas for consolation. Maybe some drew near to God and gave access for that needed inspection. Maybe others finally clued in to hearing God’s voice in prayer. And perhaps others will entrust God to anoint them to deliver Spirit-led and powerful messages.

I know that I’ve seen new insight from God’s perspective. He’s allowed me to sit with Him and feel His heart for each church, the congregations, and ministers. I know that God is invested. 1) I know with certainty that He hates those cameras rolling when He wants to move stealthily among His people. Why would you want to publicly humiliate His children when they come to the altar for His healing touch by filming them in a vulnerable state? Why would you intentionally record for public consumption the communion time or offering time that is supposed to be devoted to God? 2) God hates the false doctrines and the twisted manipulations that allow pastors to lord themselves over innocent and faithful followers. 3) God hates insincerity and greed. 4) God values the women that have been overlooked and discarded by foolish men that should have been entrusted to lift them up and spotlight their Kingdom beauty, anointing, giftedness, and nurturing hearts.

So, you may be wondering, after about 50 days of posts and insight from God to the local churches, if it has affected change. God says that it has, and I see little bright spots of growth in doctrinal areas from some of the pastors. I think we all have been challenged to be better versions of ourselves. We find the best answers by hearing God and allowing Him to teach, instruct, chastise, and discipline us as He shapes us into His design.

God is leading me to take time away from this endeavor to work on another area of ministry. I hope for God-honoring success for each of us as we step forward. Seek Him to know Him! I can be reached at TammieEdwards@therogueprophet.com.