For a parent, Proverbs 27:17 is a very important verse. Iron sharpens iron and similarly, a good friend sharpens a friend. Who are your children’s friends? Do you know? Have you asked to find out, not only from your child but from others? And, what kind of friends are your children to others?
As I mentioned, this verse is a positive statement as a good friend will sharpen a friend. But what effect will a friend who is not good have on your children? There is no doubt that this friend will definitely have an effect as well on your child, but it will be a negative one.
On the website letgodbetrue.com, there is an excellent, helpful analysis of this verse. The writer states: “There are two direct and important lessons here. You need noble and godly friends to maximize your growth, and you need to be such a friend to others to maximize theirs.”
In regard to who are your children’s friends, the Bible establishes that wise friends will make them wiser and foolish friends will dull and corrupt them. Prov. 27:9, 13:20. According to 1Cor. 15:33 NLT, “bad company corrupts good character”. We must diligently monitor our children’s friends as we want wise influence for them.
The writer on letgodbetrue.com asks the following questions and I suggest that you as a parent ask them as well:
1. What is the spirit, demeanor and conduct of your children’s friends?
2. Are their friends a sharpening influence on your children and vice versa?
3. Is it wise for your children to keep these friends?
4. Do you value and promote good friends for them?
5. Do your children improve the lives of their friends?
To read the entire article, please visit https://letgodbetrue.com/proverbs/index/chapter-27/proverbs-27-17/