How often in life do we forget about the person who was really responsible for the good that was done? The wife who worked tirelessly at home, training the children so her husband could have a great career. The campaign manager who did all the behind-the-scenes jobs so the person elected to office could have his time in the limelight. Anytime there are victories, there are battlers behind the scenes.
This is the scenario in Acts 14:8-18. Paul had arrived at Lystra, and he saw a man who was a cripple. This man had never walked. He was cripple at birth. Paul looks at him intently. We do not know if the Holy Spirit revealed this man’s faith to Paul or if it was his show of humility. The scriptures do not tell us explicitly. I am sure this man had heard about how God had used Paul to heal people. Word of mouth traveled fast. In today’s world, social media would have it broadcast to the ends of the earth in one afternoon. People have not changed; they still talk and spread things that miraculously happen. Paul tells the man with a loud voice to stand. This must have seemed cruel to onlookers who did not believe in miracles, but they watched as the man took his first steps.
Act 14:8-10 “And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother’s womb, who never had walked: The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.”
The people standing by watching were astonished when the man walked. Many had seen this man sitting and being carried about by his family since birth. They knew this was a miracle, but they did not attribute it to God. They thought that Paul was a god himself. They called Barnabas Jupiter and Paul Mercurius. False gods were all these people had ever known. The Priest of Jupiter brought oxen as a gift and garlands to adorn their gods. They had the right idea to praise the one who had done such a great thing, but they were praising the wrong one.
Act 14:11-13 “And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done sacrifice with the people.”
When Paul and Barnabas realized what was happening, they tore their clothes and ran in among the people, declaring that they were men just like them. They made sure they did not receive the glory, but used this to introduce the people to the one true God who was responsible for the miracle. Paul had not reacted this way when crowds had talked of stoning them. This shows Paul’s heart for the Lord and his ministry for the Lord. It was not about him; it was about Jesus, and he wanted nothing to do with gaining any glory from what the Lord had done. They rent their clothes because their honor was not at stake, but God’s was.
Paul used this horrible misplaced praise to further show the people who Jesus is. He is begging them to turn from their vain ways to the one true God.
Act 14:14-18 “Which when the apostles, Barnabas and Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people, crying out, And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein: Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. Nevertheless he left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. And with these sayings scarce restrained they the people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.”
In the Christian world today, we would be shocked if men who are great at singing, playing, or preaching took this attitude about what they have done. Maybe that is why we do not see the miracles or changes in people’s lives that the early church experienced. We have been taught by the world that if we do not praise our children and make them think they are great that they will have low self-esteem. Yet, the opposite is true. If they understand that all good comes from God and all glory goes to Him, their worth will be far greater than what the world offers. If they please the King of Kings, if they understand how much He values them, they will not need the praise of men.
We need to be careful when men praise us for the things we do. It would be very easy to get used to the praise, and soon we would be doing it for the praise, instead of God’s glory. This is an area I seek to be diligent in. I grew up singing all around the area I lived in. I was heavily involved in music in churches and competitions. Then I did not think much of the clapping and cheering after we finished, but now I see it was like any other concert; it was about the show. Now, I am very careful to give God the glory for anything good that I do. I don’t want praise for music or speaking. I want people to be blessed and challenged to be like Jesus, follow Him closer, and repeat to others what God has done in their lives. When I sing, I remind myself I am singing to an audience of one. God and God alone is the one I want to please. When we have our annual Christmas program and all goes well, I purposely ask the pastor not to single out people for praise, especially not me. It is worthless if it is a show; only when it is a ministry that gives glory to God is it worth anything. I challenge you to think about your own life and the way you respond to music and preaching. Give all praise and glory to Him, only He is worthy. Everything about us needs to point to Him. Do you experience misplaced praise?
