Reading this morning I've had several thoughts. I've come across this scripture in Ecclesiastes 10.10 Which shows the importance of Proverbs 27:17 as iron sharpens iron so one man sharpens another. 

 I think you could look at it like this. That I'm the ax and if I'm not meeting with other transparent individuals that can sharpen me then I become dull and rusty. Then I began to try and figure out things on my own (PRIDE) and life becomes so much harder. I'm not sure if you realize but any tool that you use that requires an edge or saw blade that needs to be Sharp takes so much more effort to get the job done.   It's like cutting a steak with a butter knife (well,  not my Ribeye’s that are done on the Green Egg,  anyway you get my point 😊 ) The wisdom I feel that he's talking about In this passage is the wisdom of meeting together on a regular basis and being transparent with each other. (my opinion)

One might could say that if you have pulled away or are not meeting with transparent men on a regular basis you could be opening a door for sin to creep into your life. That very well may be the platform that the devil is looking for to operate from. Which is where Ephesians 4:27 came in this morning.

I would also say that you could be meeting with men that are transparent and you could still have sin in your life that you are tolerating.

Ecclesiastes 10:10 If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom brings success.

Ephesians 4.27 Any sin that you tolerate is an open invitation to the devil. Do not give him a platform to operate from.

I leave you with this thought. Do you meet with men that you can be transparent with?

Do you have sin in your life right now that you are tolerating?  Lust, gluttony,  …… you fill in the blank.

The thought process could be ….. Well that is just how I am ……   I have tried but just can’t stop.
 
If you do have sin in your life that you are tolerating ...........Why?

You were running so well....... Gal 5:7

GAL 5:7 You started off like an athlete on a mission, who distracted you? You seemed so completely persuaded about the truth!  5:8 God is not confused about you. He surnamed you!

Gal 5:7 — Gal 5:8

You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you. NLT

I woke this morning thinking about this passage. It always makes me wonder what he is up to when I wake to a passage floating around in my mind.   Sometimes the enemy is so subtle and then sometimes he's in your face just daring you. I had something happened to me a couple weeks ago. Doesn't really matter what it was what matters is how I chose to react. There is the key word chose. I saw the lie for what it was worth, and I chose to be a martyr. What I mean by being a martyr is I chose to Waller in my crap.  What became of that was I stopped writing for him. I copped an attitude.  If what I write speaks to you great and if it doesn't that's okay. The important part is that I write for him not myself.

I hate sitting here and knowing that I brought this pain upon myself and it began with believing a lie, walking in judgement.   I believe that most of you can understand what went on after that.

Matthew 7 “Judge not, that you be not judged. 2 For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.3 Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye.

Lord please reveal to me the log in my eye, so I can see the speck that may be in my brother's eye.

I find when I judge I end up judging myself more harshly in the process.

Who is keeping you from running the race so well?

When I finished writing this I then read my devotion.   I would say the timing was perfect.

You are still in a time of quiet reflection.  Even though it seems difficult, if not impossible, to move forward you must take this opportunity to do some very deep internal work that will ultimately pave the way to freedom.  This is a rare moment in time when you can make great strides in spiritual liberty, says the Lord.  Psalms 46:10a Be still, and know that I am God.