Zeal sometimes exceeds knowledge. Have you seen it? A person advocates fiercely for something, but they do not have all the facts. How do you help that person without embarrassing them?
Apollos was convinced and convincing. But his message needed more time in the oven. A native of Alexandria, location of the world’s greatest library, Apollos grew up with access to information. Better still, he knew the Old Testament Scriptures. He even knew about the way of the Lord, the coming of the Messiah. But somehow, his knowledge stopped at the point of Jesus’ baptism by John. His message was not so much inaccurate as it was incomplete.
Priscilla and Aquila cared enough to confront and instruct him more accurately. But they did it privately, personally, in their home. They offered him a more adequate understanding.
I remember when I was in my teens, a local pastor in Great Falls named Grady Cockerham cared enough to confront me. He drove me to South Dakota for the Youth Speakers Tournament. Later he invited me to preach a revival in his church. One night, he detected a note of sarcasm and took me aside. He was kind but firm in discouraging my use of sarcasm. I was not offended, but I was greatly helped.
Who holds us accountable? Will we listen to them? Beware the trap of thinking everybody else needs accountability. Carefully consider: are we teachable enough to be corrected? God will send us the right people at the right time to prepare us for the greater work he has in store.
