Devotion

Sharpening Iron
Proverbs 25:12 (NLT) To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

Character building involves teaching, training, motivation, and other forms of development that aid in bringing out the best of people’s virtues. It enhances their self-esteem, and it feels good, too. Yet, there is another side to character building that isn’t always as pleasant to receive, but it is essential to receiving the full benefits of growth. Constructive criticism/feedback is an effective component of character building when it is offered in kindness and with good intentions. For some, it can be quite a challenge to accept, and for others it is a welcomed opportunity to improve themselves. Everyone has room to improve in different areas of their life, and no one is perfect. Having the desire to be our best and to help others to be their best requires us to have people in our live who have our best interest at heart and who care enough to tell us what we need (not want) but need to hear. If you consider yourself to be a good man or a good woman, then you know that you cannot live your life as if you are an island. That’s dull and fruitless living. Good men and women do not get to be good men and women on their own. That’s how we sharpen our iron – friend to friend. Have friends in your life who want to help you keep your character virtues sharpened and be that kind of friend to them in return.