1 Samuel 2:29 – Iron Sharpens Iron

1 Samuel 2:29 Why do you scorn my sacrifice and offering that I prescribed for my dwelling? Why do you honor your sons more than me by fattening yourselves on the choice parts of every offering made by my people Israel?

Eli knew the sins that his sons were committing in the temple but did not handle the situation. His lack of action showed all that he honored his sons more than God. As parents, we want the best for our children. We pray for them. We guide them to make wise decisions. But inevitably they make decisions that we would rather they hadn’t made. Some wander away from their faith. Some embrace the world system or other religions. When this happens, how are we to respond as parents?

I have too often been one to avoid conflict. As a result, I’ll ignore what others around me are doing wrong or try to cover it up. I’ll try to make things better for them on my own. When I do this, I’m just like Eli honoring someone else more than honoring God. I’m more afraid of hurting their feelings than I am concerned about their wellbeing. I am so thankful that we serve a God of second chances. I’m so thankful that it is not by my strength or my wisdom that I am to overcome the challenges of this world. I can’t do it on my own but I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength. We are to pray about everything, and we are to speak the truth in love. We are not the judge but we are a brother or sister to someone that needs to see the consequences of their decisions. We are all part of the body of Christ. It’s time for me to care enough about the body that I am willing to be iron for those around me in need. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17.