Sharpen the Saw: Getting Your Edge Back On - Continued

SELF-ASSESSMENT WORKSHEET

Ecclesiastes 10:10 (NJKV), If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but wisdom produces success.”

(NLT), Since a dull ax requires great strength, sharpen the blade. That's the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed.

(NIV), If the ax is dull and its edge unsharpened, more strength is needed but skill will bring success.

“Give me six hours to chop down a tree and I will spend the first four sharpening the saw.” ~ Attributed to Abraham Lincoln

From a knife sharpening guide: 

“Maintaining Your Edge”

A properly maintained knife is sharp. A dull knife can be dangerous because you will apply much more pressure than you would with a sharp knife and your hand will be much more likely to slip.

A honing tool will realign the edge and also bring to the surface the carbon molecules that provide most of the cutting action. Frequent honing is essential and will keep your knife cutting like new for months.

Use your honing tool virtually every time you use your knives.

KEY WORDS

Ax (Saw) – The instrument of service; our lifestyle

Edge – The cutting edge; the action edge; What we actually do; our gifts and unique contribution to God’s purpose

Wisdom - Ability to make proper choices and reach proper conclusions and decisions; Shrewdly aware and subtly resourceful; Using the proper means and procedures in attaining an end; Knowing how to restore and maintain your edge.

Sharpen: Raising the level of your skill and effectiveness through RENEWAL

Tools That Sharpen 

• Doers of the Word: Eccl. 10:18, Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house
• Prayer & Worship: Individual, corporate, John 4:23
• Simplicity/Declutter Life: 2 Cor. 11:3 NLT, But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent.
• Fellowship: (“Iron sharpens iron”) Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 John 2:7
• Personal Preparation: 2 Tim. 2:15, Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
• Accountability: Hebrews 13:7, Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith. account.
• Faith: 2 Cor. 5:7, Prov. 11:4, He who observes the wind shall not sow...”
• Teaching & Training: Sermons, Bible Study - Acts 2:42, They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.