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December 19, 2025<\/span><\/p>\n The Gift of Wise Counsel in Spiritual Growth<\/strong><\/span> Lee en espa\u00f1ol<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAfter Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.\u201d Acts 18:26b (CSB)<\/em><\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Apparently I was supposed to bend my knee as far as I could unassisted, then<\/em> pull the strap to go further. Although it was harder, I\u2019m grateful he taught me more accurately, and I\u2019m happy to report my knee is strong and well today.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019t quite right, as he \u201cknew only John\u2019s baptism.\u201d<\/em> Free of blame or shame, \u201cthey took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately\u201d<\/em> (Acts 18:25-26, CSB).<\/p>\n 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\u2019t wrong to use the strap, but I needed correction to gain real strength.<\/p>\n Likewise, I\u2019m 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s 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!<\/p>\n Friends, as we close this year, let\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n 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\u00a0<\/em>holy Scriptures. In Jesus\u2019 Name, Amen.<\/em><\/p>\n What if your gift today could steady someone\u2019s heart tomorrow? That\u2019s exactly what happens every time you give to Proverbs 31 Ministries. Your generosity provides resources that remind women they aren\u2019t alone: a devotion waiting in their inbox, a podcast episode for their commute, a study guide that leads them deeper into Scripture. And right now, your gift is worth twice as much. Through our year-end match, every dollar you give by December 31<\/strong> will be doubled up to $87,500<\/em> \u2014 reaching more women with God\u2019s Word when they need it most. This is your moment to multiply hope. Give today, and help carry God\u2019s Truth further.<\/strong><\/p>\n You can find Shala on Instagram for more everyday reminders of God\u2019s unlimited truths.<\/p>\n 2 Timothy 3:16-17, \u201cAll 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\u201d (CSB).<\/p>\n 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?<\/p>\n Who has God placed in your life as a Priscilla or Aquila \u2014 someone who can gently guide and teach you? How can you make space this week to listen and learn from them?<\/p>\n We\u2019d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts in the comments.<\/p>\n \u00a9 2025 by Shala Wilson. All rights reserved.<\/p>\n Proverbs 31 Ministries
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