MONDAY July 17, 2023
Men Mistaken for Gods
Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
Acts 14:11-13
The people in Lystra who saw the healing of the crippled man were awestruck and decided to worship Paul and Barnabas. In the Lycaonian language, they began to lift them up. You see, they had heard ancient stories––myths about the gods Zeus and Hermes. They mistakenly thought the Apostles were as these two gods walking among them. The priest of Zeus got ready to kill an oxen and make a sacrifice in honor of Paul and Barnabas––to worship them. Yet they were just human!
When God, through His Spirit, empowers a missionary or someone in ministry with the gift of healings, there is always a danger of them receiving the glory for the miracle instead of God. People have a tendency to get their eyes on men. They begin to admire them and look at them with awe. Understand, there is great accountability when using spiritual gifts. God is to always receive the glory, and not men!
Whatever spiritual gifts you may have, when you use them, people can become star stricken. When God uses any man greatly, there is also a tendency and a temptation to want special attention and privileges. They want to be treated above everyone else. They may expect to be first in line or enjoy people opening doors for them. Some may even like to be driven around the streets in a limousine. In ministry, you should never become like a movie star––as an untouchable person.
In truth, when those in ministry allow themselves to be exalted, they are placing themselves above God. They are receiving all the attention and all the glory for themselves, and that should never happen. This is not how it is in the ministry. All eyes are to be on Jesus!
Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, and looks to God alone; laughs at impossibilities, and cries it shall be done.
~Charles Wesley~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
