As we walk together day by day, whatever the capacity, we shape each other's outlooks, reactions, and beliefs. Even the scriptures declare that we influence one another either in a positive way or a negative way:
"He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm" (Psalm 13:20); "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken" (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12); "Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character" (I Corinthians 15:33); "And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24).

Consider the iron blade of a knife or sword. If the blade is dull, it is of little or no use. A blunt blade can actually hinder work. But iron is hard and needs something of equal or greater strength to sharpen it. So consider an iron file. As the iron file moves along the iron blade, there is friction, slivers of the blade fall away, and the blade emerges not only sharp and up to the task, but shiny and clean. Now think of oiling the blade to preserve the iron. "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17).

We are all blades and we are all files. There is a potential for good or evil in both--a file can also damage a blade. We can "spur one another on toward love and good deeds", or we can allow "bad company [to corrupt] good character." We won't always agree with one another, but debate is not necessarily a bad thing. We learn and come to a greater understanding through the friction--the blade is sharpened for the work. When the Holy Spirit anointing oil is applied, we are fit for the task and protected from the corrosive elements of the world by Him.

Like the iron blades, one sharpening doesn't last forever. Unless a blade is not being used, it must be sharpened over and over. The useful blade is sharpened and oiled often.

I have a sword collection. The swords I collect are not for fighting, but for art. They hang on my walls and I clean them up once in a while, and I enjoy their aesthetic value. However, if I ever needed to cut something, they would be ill-suited for the job.

Beauty is great, but I would rather be the useful iron blade, or the helpful iron file. I become sharper and better suited for Kingdom work as I read and discuss the scripture with others, as I pray with and for others, and as they pray for me, as I read and write about the Word of God, and as I receive feedback for my writing. Though some of me must go with every sharpening, I desire to be useful. 

Lord, make me a useful tool for the work of Your Hands. Amen.