​"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

Touring the kitchen of a family-owned restaurant, I noticed a chef sharpening his knives. It is interesting to watch him do this as he rubs the knife blade against a sharp tool, ensuring it is as sharp as possible. The friction of the two causes heat, but ultimately both are sharpened.
We see the same procedure in old movies where the blacksmith sharpens his tools. The process is the same whether the devices are aluminum, iron, or steel.

These physical illustrations illustrate the point of a spiritual reality.

I recently had a problem with the actions of another. I was determined to tell her how it was, but I first discussed the situation with a close friend. I was adamant that she must repent, but my friend told me, "Give her time." This iron sharpened me.
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My friend helped me see myself. Although I had the facts right, I was not operating in love. The person's sin offended me, but how much had my sin offended God? When I was far from Him, He did not leave me but continued loving me. He showed me that my way of operating without Him was not working.

My friend told me that if I continued judging her, I would be playing with fire, I realized that my job is to love her, and the Holy Spirit will convict her. Again, I must "give her time," just as the Lord gave me time to repent when I was in sin.
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Honestly, my friend sharpened me, but did I sharpen him? I think I did because he grew in faith as he ministered truth to me. We came out of our conversation as two humans who were more like Christ in our hearts. I liken this to the chef's actions as he sharpened his knives. The rubbing together and the resulting friction produced more keenly honed instruments in both cases.