2 Corinthians 11:1-6

"I wish that you would bear with me in a little foolishness; but indeed you are bearing with me. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, so that to Christ I might present you as a pure virgin. But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ. For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. For I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostle. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. ".  2 Corinthians 11:1-6
It seems the most fluent and articulate always get preference. I once hired somebody who was so polished and professional I paid less attention to the resume than I should have.

What a mistake...

The church was attempting to "rack and stack" the teachers who influenced them. They rated some higher than others and...Paul's standing was failing. For this reason Paul says "I consider myself not in the least inferior to the most eminent apostle. But even if I am unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; in fact, in every way we have made this evident to you in all things. ". 

Paul's resume was lacking nothing. He was equal in standing to the most eminent apostles...even if he was not as fluent (in his own thinking). This is a lesson to us. We shouldn't choose to follow preachers and teachers simply because of their eloquence. That eloquence is likely to lead us astray if it derives from human effort. Let's take an honest look at our pastor today. Are we criticizing him for things that are less important (preaching style or proficiency)? Are we paying less attention to the content of his message which may be faithfully biblical?

Shame on us...let's redouble our commitment to supporting the Godly leaders that we have been given.

Live boldly out there today...