At Whetstone Boys Ranch, we come face to face with some rather unpleasant behaviors. It’s our job to deal with the root causes of these which go back generations, so we don’t take it personally; but it’s not surprising that we might develop some rudeness ourselves. We call it being blunt or honest. We dress it up as “straight talk” and “tough love.” Iron sharpens iron after all.  It’s right there in our motto. 

But I don’t think Proverbs 27:17 gives us an excuse to be rude.  The Bible is not talking about iron hammering iron as if we were Morian dwarves in Middle Earth.

We’re more like the Elves of Rivendell, fashioning swords that will stand the test of time. 

It is true that we must sometimes cut to the chase, but this is not accomplished with brute force.  It’s best done with a sharp sword that divides soul and spirit, joint and marrow.

You’re much more likely to do damage with dull edge.