Iron Sharpens Iron
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Best Friends with Apple’s Siri
One of the difficulties children with autism can have is an inability to make friends. They have problems with the rules of social contact. One young autistic boy, Gus, the son of New York Times reporter Judith Newman, has discovered a friend. This friend is always patient and kind. She never tires of unending talk about a subject. This new friend is nonjudgmental and teaches Gus.
The new friend Gus has made is Siri, Apple computer’s iPhone personal assistant. Even though Siri is obviously not a person, Judith’s description of Siri makes her sound as if she follows Paul’s description for showing love in 1 Corinthians 13. We can all use such a friend, and we can all strive to be such a friend.
I can see why Judith Newman (the mother) would be so excited. Because theres something that remotely resembles a friend to her son Gus.
This is exciting Siri this Artificial Intelligence is bringing happiness to my son.
As a parent I can see how that would make my heart warm.
But most of us don’t have autism like Gus. But yet our social interactions are similar to Gus .
Allot of us our youtube Algorithm is our friend.
Or our social media feed is our friend.
Our Netflix.
Or our search history is our friend.
But we need real life in person social interactions in order for maturity and growth to take place. We need friends that go beyond the social but meaningful ones.
These friendships should come at a cost and with a cross.
We have to die to ourselves if any long lasting Christ centered relationships to grow.
Sometimes you have to forfeit your right to be right.
Meaningful relationships there will be disagreements.
Sometimes you have to put your ideals that are usually fuel with emotion aside for the sake of unity. Thats politically or otherwise.
Proverbs 13:20 “20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.”
17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
When Iron is sharpening Iron theres fraction, theres force, in order for the sharpening process to happen.
Countenance refers to the face. But this text is talking about sharpening the whole human person.
Countenance here also can refer to the soul, the personality of the man.
“Social intercourse sharpens the wits.”
When we consider Iron sharpening iron it is a healthy clash of views and personality.
Iron sharpening iron isn’t me locking horns with someone every chance I get to try to sharpen them . Its not trying to pick apart there world view every time you see them.
But this is the Christian life lived our before people and your love is sharpening them, your words are sharpening them, your convictions are sharpening them, your Christ likeness is sharpening them, your patience is sharpening them.
What are qualities of a good friend?
1. Constancy- the quality of being faithful and dependable.
- There are allot of Fair-weather friends in this world. There are allot of friends who don’t have the right motives. You have friends that are in it for self gain.
Proverbs 14:20 “20 The poor man is hated even by his own neighbor, But the rich has many friends.”
Proverbs 19:4 “4 Wealth makes many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.”
Proverbs 19:6-7 “6 Many entreat the favor of the nobility, And every man is a friend to one who gives gifts. 7 All the brothers of the poor hate him; How much more do his friends go far from him! He may pursue them with words, yet they abandon him.”
so you have Fair weather friends in it for the wrong reasons.
But a friend thats faith and dependable
24 A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
This isn’t just the friendship you hope to recieved, but you are urged to give this same kind of loyalty
10 Do not forsake your own friend or your father’s friend, Nor go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity; Better is a neighbor nearby than a brother far away.
You ever had that friend who been in the family for years and you can easily disregard or be familiar with that person because they have always been there.
Don’t disregard that loyal person God has place them there for a reason .
Because they have been through the fire with you when things get difficult don’t hesitate to call them. No need to call that brother who you think he’s a guru, when God has placed a faithful friend with the answer right in front of you.
2. Candor- the quality of being open and honest.
This is probably one of the tougher ones because we live in a nice culture .
Being kind is in the Bible but niceness isn’t.
We are nice because we can be afraid of hurting ones feelings.
6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
5 A man who flatters his neighbor Spreads a net for his feet.
David neglected his duty to Adonijah his son (‘he had not displeased him at any time in saying, Why hast thou done so?’ 1 Kgs 1:6) and it cost that son his life.
23 He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward Than he who flatters with the tongue.
But any thanks that a friend gets for this service are likely to be delayed: he must be prepared to wait till ‘afterwards’
3. Counsel- advice
9 Ointment and perfume delight the heart, And the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.
A true friendship should have both elements, the reassuring and the bracing.
“Hey your going in the right direction” “you’re doing the right things” (reassuring), or “watch out for this person” “this is action is going to lead you in the wrong path” (bracing)
A good friend counsel's
4. Tact: respect for another’s feelings; but yet a refusal to trade on your convections.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, Lest he become weary of you and hate you.
You ever had that person who is over your house to much lol
A good friend wouldn’t out stay ones welcome. You see someone yawning. they turn the lights off its time for you to leave lol . You need some tact
Being to loud at the wrong time. Its earlier in the morning i’m trying to sleep. (cutting your grass at 6am. )
14 He who blesses his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, It will be counted a curse to him.
20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather, And like vinegar on soda, Is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
you have a heavy heart but yet someone wants to sing. Have some tact its time to grieve with that person. Be simpathic at times.
Joking to much. Or jokes that have gone to far.
18 Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 Is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, “I was only joking!”