“After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.” Acts 18:26b (CSB)
After my knee surgery, many people admonished me to do my prescribed exercises at home if I wanted to heal well and completely. Armed with my stretching strap, I diligently tackled exercises three times a day, pulling the strap as hard as possible to make my knee bend further each time. But when I worked with my physical therapist again, he noticed my execution was not quite right.
Apparently I was supposed to bend my knee as far as I could unassisted, then pull the strap to go further. Although it was harder, I’m grateful he taught me more accurately, and I’m happy to report my knee is strong and well today.
Often in life, we need wise and knowledgeable people to help us grow stronger, especially so we can walk boldly in the assignments God has for us.
In Acts 18, we see this principle in the brief story of an evangelist named Apollos. He was a passionate and eloquent orator who taught accurately based on what he knew about Jesus, but he was missing key parts of the story. Fellow believers Priscilla and Aquila, who had served alongside the Apostle Paul, heard Apollos speaking and noticed his teaching wasn’t quite right, as he “knew only John’s baptism.” Free of blame or shame, “they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately” (Acts 18:25-26, CSB).
Because Apollos was teachable and humble, his ministry flourished after he learned from Priscilla and Aquila. They gently guided Apollos much like my physical therapist guided me. I wasn’t wrong to use the strap, but I needed correction to gain real strength.
Likewise, I’m incredibly grateful for the women and men who have given me wise counsel through various seasons of my life. They have spoken into my relationships and my career. They have carefully guided me through periods of intense grief, encouraged me in my calling, challenged my character, and corrected my theology.
Though much of this wise counsel has come through people in my local church, some of my most profound mentors and friends have also been from elsewhere in Christ’s global Church. In His sovereignty, God has ushered amazing disciples of Jesus into my life, from co-workers and classmates to members of Christian Facebook groups that have in-person meetups!
Friends, as we close this year, let’s commit to seeking wise counsel and walking with a posture of humility so our lives reflect Christ more fully. And no matter our access to teachers and mentors, we have the Word of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, who is working in our lives and transforming us into the image of Christ.
Father, as we bring another year to a close, we thank You for the teachers and mentors You have provided to help us walk through each season of life. We pray our hearts are soft to learn from one another and from Your holy Scriptures. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (CSB).
How easy or hard is it for you to receive correction from others? What does your reaction reveal about your posture of humility before God and people?
Who has God placed in your life as a Priscilla or Aquila — someone who can gently guide and teach you? How can you make space this week to listen and learn from them?
We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2025 by Shala Wilson. All rights reserved.
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