Iron Sharpens Iron: A Young Man's Perspective on Confrontation, Faith, and Purpose
Loading player...
A Family Dedication Feature on Just Gospel Radio
Host: Lindy Tshabangu | Guest: Masela (Mycela), Computer Science Student
In this thought-provoking episode, Lindy Tshabangu sits down with Masela, a second-year computer science student, to unpack the uncomfortable topic of confrontation—exploring how faith, self-awareness, and intentional relationships shape young leaders navigating today's complex world.
The Foundation: Understanding Your Name
Masela's name means "to hunt and gather resources to ensure those around me are well taken care of and can thrive." This principle guides his life: working intentionally to help people become better versions of themselves, creating a network effect where improvement spreads from person to person. As he explains, "It's not just on the receiving end but also on the giving end—you ultimately get what you put out."
Biblical Framework: Matthew 18:15 and Confrontation
The conversation centers on Matthew 18:15's teaching about addressing conflicts. Lindy emphasizes that confrontation isn't about attacking individuals—it's about addressing situations and characteristics. Masela agrees: "It's very important to set expectations right so both parties understand the issue is the situation itself, not us as people. The problem is not with you; it's how we're approaching a topic."
He stresses compassion helps people realize they're not being attacked, making them receptive to correction and minimizing conflict.
Lessons from Sports and Academia
As a former athlete (sprints, high jump, relay), Masela learned powerful lessons about self-confrontation. When he stopped winning sprints as competition intensified, he discovered high jump—reaching provincial trials and medaling. "Life is about how you bounce back, not what hits you. If something doesn't go well, it's just an opportunity to reframe and discover something that could allow you to achieve at even higher levels."
Academically, he transferred from engineering to computer science after realizing engineering's demands didn't align with his life vision. "If you're struggling, be honest with yourself and look at something that works better. With computer science, no matter how difficult it gets, I'm willing to push through because I see myself doing this long-term."
Proverbs 27:5-6 and True Friendship
Reading "A truly good friend will openly correct you; you can trust the friend who corrects you," Masela unpacks its significance: "Look at people who want you to be better. Even though correction feels like attack, it's in your best interest. Everybody has blind spots—if you don't have friends who help you see them, you don't know what you don't know. Be intentional about who you become friends with, and be the type of person you'd like to have in your life."
Youth Challenges: Entitlement and Social Media
Addressing youth entitlement, Masela offers nuanced perspective. While acknowledging privilege—technology, resources—he notes social media creates unique pressures. "You open Instagram and see everybody living their best life. The pressure is on to deliver continuously. But for me, that's a motivating factor to get clear about what I want to achieve."
The key? Self-awareness. "Problems arise when you aren't clear who you are—outside factors start controlling you. If you don't know where you're rooted, that's a foundational error. For me, it's God—my stronghold becomes more apparent as I progress and develop."
Iron Sharpens Iron: Leadership Principle
On Proverbs 27:17 ("Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other"), Masela emphasizes curating your circle: "Have a solid group of peers where negative factors wouldn't get considered because of the caliber of people you are. Prioritize people who want to achieve or have achieved what you're looking for. Zone in, focus, and get to it together—there's nothing as gratifying as winning with people you love."
Final Wisdom
Host: Lindy Tshabangu | Guest: Masela (Mycela), Computer Science Student
In this thought-provoking episode, Lindy Tshabangu sits down with Masela, a second-year computer science student, to unpack the uncomfortable topic of confrontation—exploring how faith, self-awareness, and intentional relationships shape young leaders navigating today's complex world.
The Foundation: Understanding Your Name
Masela's name means "to hunt and gather resources to ensure those around me are well taken care of and can thrive." This principle guides his life: working intentionally to help people become better versions of themselves, creating a network effect where improvement spreads from person to person. As he explains, "It's not just on the receiving end but also on the giving end—you ultimately get what you put out."
Biblical Framework: Matthew 18:15 and Confrontation
The conversation centers on Matthew 18:15's teaching about addressing conflicts. Lindy emphasizes that confrontation isn't about attacking individuals—it's about addressing situations and characteristics. Masela agrees: "It's very important to set expectations right so both parties understand the issue is the situation itself, not us as people. The problem is not with you; it's how we're approaching a topic."
He stresses compassion helps people realize they're not being attacked, making them receptive to correction and minimizing conflict.
Lessons from Sports and Academia
As a former athlete (sprints, high jump, relay), Masela learned powerful lessons about self-confrontation. When he stopped winning sprints as competition intensified, he discovered high jump—reaching provincial trials and medaling. "Life is about how you bounce back, not what hits you. If something doesn't go well, it's just an opportunity to reframe and discover something that could allow you to achieve at even higher levels."
Academically, he transferred from engineering to computer science after realizing engineering's demands didn't align with his life vision. "If you're struggling, be honest with yourself and look at something that works better. With computer science, no matter how difficult it gets, I'm willing to push through because I see myself doing this long-term."
Proverbs 27:5-6 and True Friendship
Reading "A truly good friend will openly correct you; you can trust the friend who corrects you," Masela unpacks its significance: "Look at people who want you to be better. Even though correction feels like attack, it's in your best interest. Everybody has blind spots—if you don't have friends who help you see them, you don't know what you don't know. Be intentional about who you become friends with, and be the type of person you'd like to have in your life."
Youth Challenges: Entitlement and Social Media
Addressing youth entitlement, Masela offers nuanced perspective. While acknowledging privilege—technology, resources—he notes social media creates unique pressures. "You open Instagram and see everybody living their best life. The pressure is on to deliver continuously. But for me, that's a motivating factor to get clear about what I want to achieve."
The key? Self-awareness. "Problems arise when you aren't clear who you are—outside factors start controlling you. If you don't know where you're rooted, that's a foundational error. For me, it's God—my stronghold becomes more apparent as I progress and develop."
Iron Sharpens Iron: Leadership Principle
On Proverbs 27:17 ("Just as iron sharpens iron, friends sharpen the minds of each other"), Masela emphasizes curating your circle: "Have a solid group of peers where negative factors wouldn't get considered because of the caliber of people you are. Prioritize people who want to achieve or have achieved what you're looking for. Zone in, focus, and get to it together—there's nothing as gratifying as winning with people you love."
Final Wisdom
