The blogs leading up to the 1613 Men’s Conference that Cascades will be hosting in August are going to be directed towards how to be a man. I am currently reading Joby Martin’s book “Stand Firm and Act Like Men”. Joby is one of the speakers at the 1613 conference. One of the first quotes I highlighted in this book is “I’ve become increasingly convinced that the lack of genuine biblical manhood is the root of the overwhelming majority of society’s problems. I hope you didn’t breeze past that word: biblical. Because the root issue of our problems is not a lack of manhood, but a lack of biblical manhood.”
The Men’s Ministry of Cascades Baptist is called Iron Sharpens Iron. Today I am going to attempt to share why we chose that title.
“For iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” — Proverbs 27:17
The image is simple, rugged, and unmistakably masculine: iron striking iron, sparks flying, metal transformed. Scripture uses this picture deliberately. The forging processes began around 3500-3000 BC with copper and bronze. Iron forging began around 1200 BC. They knew that iron did not become useful—or sharp—by accident. It became so through heat, pressure, friction, and craftsmanship. In many ways, the forging of a knife blade mirrors the forging of a man of God.
A favorite show of mine is “Forged in Fire” where contestants forge knives from raw materials. A knife blade does not begin its life sharp. It begins as raw steel, unrefined but having potential. In the same way, every man begins with God-given strength, passion, and purpose, yet without discipline and direction, those traits can remain blunt. God does not leave us as we are. He invites us into a process of shaping that requires faith, submission, endurance, and trust.
Joby Martin says, “He might drag you through the pain cave so He can mature you into the man that He wants you to be. Don’t miss that--God uses your pain for His glory and your good. And when He does, He wants you to persevere. Faith is forged. Not faked. (emphasis added)”
The forging process starts with heat. Steel must be placed into a fire hot enough to soften it, making it moldable in the hands of the blacksmith. Without heat, the steel resists change. Likewise, men often resist growth until they encounter the heat of life—trials, failures, responsibilities, and moments of conviction. Scripture reminds us that God uses these moments for our good. The fire is not meant to destroy us, but to prepare us. A man of God does not run from the fire; he learns to ask what God is shaping within it.
Once heated, the steel is hammered. Each strike is shaping the blade’s form and strength. Hammering is loud, uncomfortable, and relentless. For men, this hammering often comes through accountability, correction, and truth spoken by other godly men. This is where Proverbs 27:17 comes alive. Iron sharpens iron through contact, not isolation. At Cascades, we are looking for men to have honest relationships where they challenge one another to live with integrity, humility, and courage. Without the hammering influence of other men, we risk remaining misshapen and weak.
After hammering, the blade is reheated and hammered again. This cycle repeats until the blade begins to take shape. Growth in godliness is rarely a one-time event. It is a lifelong process of repentance, obedience, and refinement. A man of God understands that spiritual maturity is not about perfection, but persistence. He returns to the fire willingly, knowing God is not finished with him yet.
One of the most critical steps in blade forging is quenching—rapidly cooling the hot steel in water or oil. This step hardens the blade, locking in its strength. But quenching is dangerous if done incorrectly. Too fast, and the blade can crack. Too slow, and it remains soft. In a man’s life, seasons of rest, reflection, and prayer serve as quenching moments. After intense seasons of work, struggle, or growth, men need space to cool, to let God solidify what He has taught them.
Joby Martin says, “A strong man is a sabbathed man, a persevering man, a humble man and a serving man.” Martin knows that sabbathed is not a word but asks if you rest? He says, “If the devil can’t make you bad, he’ll make you busy.”
In being a persevering man, you will endure pain, hardship and extreme discomfort. “Your salvation is free, but living it out may very well cost you everything, and it might hurt in the process.”
Are you a humble man? “Strength and security are not demonstrated in a show of power. Strength and security are best demonstrated by humility.”
Lastly, are you a serving man? Jesus showed this in John 13:3, “Jesus, knowing that all authority, all things had been put under His control, got up from the table and showed His disciples the full extent of His love.” Then He proceeded to wash their feet. Where and how are you serving your family, friends and church body?
Even after quenching, the blade is not finished. It must be ground and sharpened. This is where iron truly sharpens iron. Sharpening removes material—it costs something. It creates friction and sparks, but it produces a blade that is effective and purposeful. In the same way, men sharpen one another by speaking truth in love, confessing sin, encouraging faithfulness, and calling out complacency. A dull blade is dangerous and ineffective; a dull man drifts spiritually and often harms those he is meant to protect.
Finally, the blade is polished and tested. It is examined for cracks, weaknesses, and balance. A man of God must also be tested—not to prove himself, but to reveal where he still needs growth. Trials reveal character. Leadership reveals humility—or the lack of it. Responsibility reveals faith. Through testing, God prepares men to be tools in His hands, useful for good works, protection, and service.
A forged knife is not a decorative object; it has a purpose. It is meant to work. Likewise, biblical masculinity is not about dominance or ego, but about responsibility and sacrifice. A man of God is called to protect the vulnerable, lead with humility, love his family, serve his church, and stand firm in truth. Strength is not the absence of gentleness; it is the ability to be gentle because strength is under control.
When men gather around the fire of God’s Word, submit to His shaping, and sharpen one another through honest brotherhood, they become something far greater than they could ever be alone.
God is forging men today. The question is not whether the fire will come—it will. The question is whether we will step into the forge willingly, trust the Master blacksmith, and allow iron to sharpen iron so that we may become men after God’s own heart. That is what myself, Lee Miles, Jordan Hampton and Tim Barsuhn are trying to accomplish at Cascades. One question I ask men at Cascades frequently is whether or not they have another man or 2 in their life that will sharpen them? Somebody that you can tell anything to and they will respond with love and correction (if necessary) in your life to sharpen you. If you don’t, let one of us help you get connected with someone that can do that for you. It is not easy and doesn’t happen overnight. Are you willing to humble yourself to be strong?
Questions to Ponder:
The Fire: God Uses Pressure to Shape Us
- What challenges or pressures is God using in your life right now?
- How do you usually respond to hardship—resistance, endurance, or trust?
- What might God be trying to form in you through this season?
The Hammer: Accountability and Brotherhood
- Who has permission to speak hard truth into your life?
- How do you respond to correction or accountability?
- What would it look like for this group to truly sharpen one another?
The Edge: Being Sharpened for God’s Purpose
- Where has God placed responsibility in your life (family, work, church)?
- How does biblical masculinity differ from what culture teaches?
- In what ways might you be dull—or drifting—in your faith?
The Commitment: Staying in the Forge
- What is one step you can take this week to grow as a man of God?
- How can this group help you stay consistent and accountable?
- What do you need prayer for right now?
Written By: Jeff Abner
