“As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17
“If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.” Ecclesiastes 10:10
We live in an unprecedented time of technological advances. We often become unimpressed as the rapid pace of new products, tools, entertainment, etc, are being introduced. There is always a “new and improved” or an updated version to download of, well…you name it. We quickly forget the mind-blowing gadgets from last year as this year’s version is 10x better. As a deep thinker, a man who tries to find a lesson in everything, I do my best to appreciate the things that got us where we are. Some things are foundational. Some things stand the test of time. Many times, these timeless objects, practices, and early innovations are the things the Lord uses to teach us wisdom.
One of these foundational tools is the whetstone. The word “whet” means to sharpen. To whet something is to make it more sharp, keen, perceptive, or acute. Whetstone is an all-encompassing term given to any type of stone that is used to sharpen other objects. Men have been sharpening their tools and weapons on whetstones for thousands of years. There are many variations of these sharpening stones, but the foundation is the same. Mine for example, a gift from my brother several years ago, has a handle and sheath, is two-sided with a course and fine abrasive grit. It has some man-made features that enhance the sharpening process but at its core, or foundation, it is simply a stone.
I remember my grandpa and my dad teaching me to use a whetstone when I was young. My grandpa would scold me if I did not have a sharp pocketknife on me at all times. He believed that a man needed to always carry one. A pocketknife served as a multi-tool for men. Like many other boys, I carried one to school. It was not uncommon for us to offer its use to our teacher if needed. How times have changed; and I’m not that old! A pocketknife or any type of blade is a tremendous tool, but it relies on the whetstone to help maximize its efficiency and precision of use.
I recently purchased a new pocketknife after I broke the tip off my old one. I spent a couple of hours researching a new one as, for me, it is an important purchase. As I was sharpening the edge, I could not help but think of the wisdom that came from this simple and age-old practice. Men have a great value in our society, but often we lose our edge. We slowly dull and our purposes become unclear. Our intentions are good, and we had such a great start, but we grow weary and lose focus. Fatigue sets in. Life happens, and our body, mind, motivation, and value begin to fade.
Why is this?
The answer: We have not sharpened ourselves. We have not seen the whetstone in years. We have been operating with a dull blade. God did not design us this way. Every tool that a man uses must be cared for, maintained, and serviced regularly. We know this, but we do not apply this simple standard to ourselves. God’s Word is clear that men need to be sharpened. We do this in many ways, but the most effective is through relationships with other men. One very popular verse comes from Proverbs 27:17. It tells us that men sharpen each other. We do this by communicating, spending time together, and helping one another. It takes some energy and investment, but it is vital if you want to sharpen your blade. We are to serve as a whetstone for one another.
Another verse, Ecclesiastes 10:10, shows this truth by teaching us that it is unwise to use a dull blade. Wise men take the time to sharpen their blade and therefore less energy is wasted. More work, reward, and fruit can be accomplished because a man’s blade is sharp making his work more effective. The work referred to is limitless in meaning. This can mean your job, whether physical or mental, or it can be your role as a husband or a father. It also speaks to your position as a friend, a leader, or servant to others in your community.
If you want to be the best man you can be, then you must find a whetstone. Find another man that sharpens you. Some of you may need to find a whetstone with a very abrasive grit starting out. Your blade may be very dull from a life of hard use. Some of you may be in a place where you just need to put a finer edge on your blade. Wherever you are, find the whetstone you need for this season of your life.
The next step after finding a whetstone is to be a whetstone. If you are raising a son, then be his whetstone. He needs you. This is your first and foremost job as a sharpening stone. Teach him from a young age how to sharpen himself with you. You also need to recognize and adjust your grit for your son’s stage in life. I would also encourage you to be a whetstone for another man. You have value to give to others. There is someone in your realm of influence that could use your wisdom and experience to sharpen areas of his life. No matter who you are or what you have been through, there is someone out there that can learn something from you and your experiences in life.
My brother and I work together, and I am grateful that we serve as whetstones for each other. Recently, I have reconnected with a couple of people from my past. These two men have helped to show me the importance of having and being a whetstone. One is a man that I coached with for several years. We are meeting on a weekly basis to sharpen one another. The other is a former athlete that I coached who lives across the country. We also meet weekly through video. He asked me to be a whetstone for him as he is navigating life as a young man, husband, and father. What an honor! He has truly blessed me as well through this sharpening process.
Men, you have so much to give. I implore you to find a whetstone and be one as well.
