Brave Accountability - Working in Integrity Together: Strengthened in Community by Pastora Yolanda Hernandez

 

Hello Brave Hearted Steppers,

Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”

As we walk through the pages of the Bible, many books, letters, chapters, and verses really catch our attention. The way that God talks to us through His word is outstanding, especially in this time that we are experiencing. Times of challenges and times that, if you are not grounded in the Word, it will derail you from the presence of God.

But this verse truly is an eye-opener because it reminds us that we are not meant to walk alone. It shows us clearly that growth, maturity, and strength are developed best when we live in relationship with God and with one another. And who does not want to grow, mature, and be strengthened as we walk in the kingdom? As we encounter every day the goodness of a merciful Father.

There are principles that guaranteed that those elements that will help us conquer and accomplish our goal and destiny here on earth. One of those principles is living in integrity.

Integrity is at the heart of true community. It is easy to appear strong when we are isolated, but real integrity is tested and proven in connection with others. When we work side by side, serve together, and encourage one another, we allow God to use our differences and even our weaknesses to shape us into something stronger.

Once again, we cherish the verse in Proverbs and think about iron sharpening iron—it is not a gentle process. Think about it for a few minutes and imagine two pieces of iron hitting each other. There is friction, heat, and sometimes sparks. Things that are not comfortable to our liking, but the results are a sharper iron. In the same way, relationships in community may challenge us, confront us, and stretch us. But this process is necessary for our growth. Yes, I agree totally with you, it is not easy and very uncomfortable, but it will help you be accountable to yourself and others.

It is important to remember that a life of integrity doesn’t avoid accountability; it embraces it. It says, “I am willing to be sharpened because I want to walk faithfully before God.”

When we choose to live in integrity with one another, there are things that are visible, such as:

1. We build a community that is resilient, honest, and rooted in truth.

2. We create a space where people can grow without fear of judgment, where encouragement lifts us when we are weary, and where correction is given in love to keep us aligned with God’s purpose.

3. The church, families, and even friendships thrive when integrity and accountability become the foundation.

In a world that often celebrates independence, God calls us to interdependence—to recognize that our strength multiplies when we come together.

So today, let us commit to walking in integrity, not just privately but within our communities. Let us be the kind of people who sharpen others with encouragement, who strengthen others with love, and who challenge others toward holiness. And may we also be humble enough to receive that sharpening ourselves.

Because in the end, we are stronger together.

Prayer:

“Lord, help me to walk in integrity and surround myself with a community that sharpens me in love. Teach me to give encouragement, correction, and strength to others, and to receive the same with humility. Make us stronger together as Your people. Amen.”

Be blessed,
Pastora Yolanda Hernandez
Iglesia de Dios Centro de Vida // Church of God Center of Life // Bridgeport, CT.
iddcentrodevida // @iddcentrodevida