As Iron sharpens iron, so one sharpens the face his neighbor

Proverbs 27:17

It used to be common to see the host at a table sharpening the carving knife
by drawing each side of the cutting edge against a hardened steel rod with
fine ridges.

Just as the action of iron against iron sharpens, so the interchange of ideas
with each other makes us acute in our thinking.

In an environment of sharing with each other

We can sharpen our perspective

We can lift our thinking to a broadened breadth of view

Grappling with challenging questions sharpens our wits

Friendly interaction hones our character & personality

Faithful are the wounds of a friend

Proverbs 27:6

We need to be surrounded with those that are honest with us

There are always those who are destructive on what they assume to be our flaws & faults;

But a true friend knows how to be honest with our blind spots

A real friend is artful in compassionate constructive criticism.

But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful & profuse in destroying our credibility & reputation

Judas gave a sign to the mob in advance to help them distinguish Jesus from the disciples;

the sign was a kiss.

The universal symbol of love was to be prostituted to its lowest use.

As he approached the Lord, Judas said, “Hail, Master!” then kissed Him profusely.

Two different words for kiss are used (Matt. 26:48, 49).

The first, in verse 48, is the normal word for kiss.

But in verse 49, a stronger word is used, expressing repeated or affectionate kissing.