A FOOL'S ERRAND
Day 137: Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions. I didn't write those words, but I could have because I've known a few people who fit that description. You probably have too. You know the type: they always have something to say, but never enough time to listen. They pierce you with their intent stare when they are talking, but their eyes dart about in boredom when someone else takes the spotlight. It is obvious that they loved the sound of their own voice and have no interest in yours. Sadly, those are the very people who could most benefit from a little input.
Then there are those others that really do have it all together. Consider the Billy Graham's, Beth Moore's and Abe Lincoln's of the world. Their wisdom is so obvious it is hard to imagine how someone might add to their understanding. But no matter how wise a person might seem, if this Proverb (18:2) is true then even the most together people would be fools if they didn't look for understanding outside themselves. It's no surprise that such people are usually the first to seek wisdom from others.
The scripture reading for today gave us the right kind of example of someone living this Proverb.
After Paul leaves his friends in the faith, Priscilla and Aquila, in Ephesus as he journeys on, a newcomer named Apollos also arrives.
Acts 18: 24 He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
Learned. Knowledgeable. Fervent. Bold. Apollos sounded like an effective evangelist who was impacting the Kingdom of God as he "taught about Jesus accurately." He had it together.
Priscilla and Aquila were tent makers. They were God-fearing, Jesus-loving tent makers, (and probably church planters) but they did not seem to be the authorities others went to for instruction. Still, as they listened to Apollos teach it became clear to them that he needed instruction to fill in the gaps.
26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
Apollos for all his gifts and knowledge had not learned about the baptism of Jesus with the Holy Spirit. He only knew of water baptism of John's teaching. Yet even then, his speaking was powerful. What if he had decided he did not want to hear what the tent makers had to say. After all, people came to hear him, not them. Yet even with all his knowledge and boldness, he humbly allowed them to "explain to him the way of God more adequately."
Apollos was on no fool's errand. He knew better than to assume his own opinions were always right. He was not deceived to think that his purpose in life was to persuade people to listen to him. His purpose was to first know the truth, then seek God to know how to use it. Doing that means not just a willingness, but a genuine desire to hear from others and grow.
Unfortunately, there are too few "wise" people like Apollos. There are plenty of talented ones. There are plenty of articulate ones. There are plenty of entertaining ones. But too many of them are fools who only value their own opinions. Our job is not to name them, but to make sure our names is not among them.
Whether in business, relationships, service or worship, the moment we no longer have "an interest in understanding" the views and opinions around us, opting instead only to have our opinions understood and glory in the sound of our own voices, that is the moment WE become the fool.
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The scripture reading for today gave us the right kind of example of someone living this Proverb.
After Paul leaves his friends in the faith, Priscilla and Aquila, in Ephesus as he journeys on, a newcomer named Apollos also arrives.
Acts 18: 24 He was a learned man, with a thorough knowledge of the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and he spoke with great fervor and taught about Jesus accurately, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue.
Learned. Knowledgeable. Fervent. Bold. Apollos sounded like an effective evangelist who was impacting the Kingdom of God as he "taught about Jesus accurately." He had it together.
Priscilla and Aquila were tent makers. They were God-fearing, Jesus-loving tent makers, (and probably church planters) but they did not seem to be the authorities others went to for instruction. Still, as they listened to Apollos teach it became clear to them that he needed instruction to fill in the gaps.
26 When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.
Apollos for all his gifts and knowledge had not learned about the baptism of Jesus with the Holy Spirit. He only knew of water baptism of John's teaching. Yet even then, his speaking was powerful. What if he had decided he did not want to hear what the tent makers had to say. After all, people came to hear him, not them. Yet even with all his knowledge and boldness, he humbly allowed them to "explain to him the way of God more adequately." Apollos was on no fool's errand. He knew better than to assume his own opinions were always right. He was not deceived to think that his purpose in life was to persuade people to listen to him. His purpose was to first know the truth, then seek God to know how to use it. Doing that means not just a willingness, but a genuine desire to hear from others and grow.
Unfortunately, there are too few "wise" people like Apollos. There are plenty of talented ones. There are plenty of articulate ones. There are plenty of entertaining ones. But too many of them are fools who only value their own opinions. Our job is not to name them, but to make sure our names is not among them.
Whether in business, relationships, service or worship, the moment we no longer have "an interest in understanding" the views and opinions around us, opting instead only to have our opinions understood and glory in the sound of our own voices, that is the moment WE become the fool.
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Day 137 of 365
2 Kings 13
2 Kings 14
Acts 18:23-28
Acts 19:1-12
Psalm 146:1-10
Proverbs 18:2-3
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