“So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.” (Luke 17:10 RSV)
While Barnabas and Paul were preaching the gospel at Lystra, the Bible records that a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb who had never walked.
This man heard Paul speaking, and Paul observed him intently. Seeing that he had faith to be healed, Paul shouted, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked (Acts 14:7-10). Hallelujah!
When the people of the city saw the wondrous miracle that God had worked through Paul, being undiscerning, they drew the wrong conclusion. They thus gathered to offer sacrifice to Barnabas and Paul, saying in the Lycaonian language, “the gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” (Acts 14:11-13 NKJV).
As recorded in the Scripture, the people’s astonishment did not end with mere shouting.
Acts 14:11-13 – NKJV
11 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!”
12 And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 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.
The undiscerning people of Lystra immediately began to call the servants of God by new names, the names of their gods. They called Barnabas “Zeus,” also known as “Jupiter” (the father of the gods), and Paul “Hermes,” also known as “Mercury” (the god of eloquence or interpreter of the gods).
Besides, the priest of Jupiter, along with the multitudes, gathered at their temple, intending to offer sacrifices to Barnabas and Paul as the gods who had come to them in the likeness of men.
What a bunch of ignorant, foolish, and undiscerning folks!
However, despite the ignorance, foolishness, or lack of discernment of the people of Lystra, Barnabas, and Paul, they didn’t exploit or defraud them as some servants of God today would have.
Instead, they refused to sit down or stand there comfortably to enjoy, relish, or savor the worship from these undiscerning people, or bask in their glories as many fame-lovers or seekers today do.
How did they respond?
Acts 14:14-18 – NKJV
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
15 and saying, “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them,
16 “who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.
17 “Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.”
18 And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.
What a proper way to respond to flatterers or praise-singers!
With their forceful words and decisive actions, Barnabas and Paul were able to restrain the people from worshipping and sacrificing to them as gods.
What a lesson in humility for God’s servants today!
Indeed, astonishing miracles, signs, and wonders can provoke strange reactions from spiritually immature and undiscerning people. As it happened to Barnabas and Paul, in their excitement and astonishment, people may call you several lofty names when they see many mighty acts God has done by your hands or through you.
People may even present to you the sacrifices (worship, praise, or glory) that belong to God. How do you handle that as a servant of God?
Barnabas and Paul vividly demonstrated the best way to handle such a situation and the foolishness of undiscerning people!
When Barnabas and Paul were elevated to the status of gods and were about to be offered sacrifices or worshiped as gods, they vigorously protested and restrained the people.
They demonstrated to the foolish Lycaonian people that they were men of the same nature, frailties, and weaknesses by their passionate words and decisive actions. They tore their clothes and cried in public before all the people. They knew that gods would never do that.
Moreover, Barnabas and Paul pointed the undiscerning people of Lystra to the only true God. They turned their attention and affection away from them to their God through their passionate preaching.
Unfortunately, unlike Barnabas and Paul, some of God’s servants today are basking in God’s glory and in the praises offered to them by ignorant and undiscerning people because of some miracles, deliverances, or healings God has wrought through them.
Sadly, some servants of God today bear the lofty or eminent names and titles their spiritually immature and undiscerning followers offer. Worse still, they dance to the songs of praise their ignorant followers or congregations composed for them.
Even some greedy servants of God today exploit their undiscerning followers by demanding extraordinary sacrifices, seeds, gifts, or offerings from the recipients of the miracles, healings, or deliverances God did under their ministrations.
Beloved, beware of people who call you by unique, lofty, or eminent names after your ministrations. Beware of spiritually immature or undiscerning people who may offer you worship, praise, or glory due to God after your ministrations.
How do you deal with such people or treat the worship that people offer to you?
Learn from Barnabas and Paul!
Luke 17:10 – RSV
10 So you also, when you have done all that is commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.'”
It is wisdom to heed the Lord’s admonition to His disciples.
Reject worship from men!
Prayer:
My Dear Heavenly Father, grant me divine wisdom and boldness to deal with the undiscerning people when they seek to offer me the worship, praises, and glory due to You. Help me to reject such sacrifices vigorously as Barnabas and Paul did, in Jesus’ name. Amen.