The Men of Iron Minute

by Ryan Zook | Curriculum & Content Developer

What is the Difference Between a Friend and an Acquaintance? 

You can’t live your life alone. Relationships with others are an essential part of life. 

Most men don’t have friends. They have a lot of acquaintances.

That’s a problem. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.” If your friends aren’t sharpening you, they’re not your friends. Don’t get me wrong, you can keep hanging out with them, and that’s not a problem. It’s fun to get together with other guys, watch a football game, put on a deer drive, and hit the golf course. However, most of those guys are your acquaintances. They’re not your friends. 

If you assume your acquaintances are your friends, you will be disappointed. Friendship should sharpen you. Friendship should be a meaningful part of your life that cannot be easily disposed of. Try to surround yourself with faithful and dependable men. The kind of men you can ask for help, and they will show up. Try to surround yourself with accountable men. You can hold them to a high standard, and they can hold you to a high standard. 

Friends should always move you closer to Jesus. 

That’s what sharpening looks like. You need men in your life that will sharpen you. You cannot honestly know God and know your purpose entirely on your own. You need solid friends who follow Jesus and consistently push you to do the same. 

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