Turn Attention Away from the Servant

“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. 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. 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.”

Acts 14:8-18 KJV

The crowd's admiration was not a harmless compliment. It rested upon a false understanding of who the missionaries were. Paul and Barnabas responded urgently because receiving that honor would have contradicted the very message they had come to proclaim.

Read the passage carefully

Religious influence can encourage dependence upon a personality. A teacher becomes the final authority, criticism is treated as disloyalty, and ordinary accountability disappears beneath gratitude for useful ministry. Faithful servants should resist that arrangement. They are people in need of grace, and their teaching must remain open to examination by Scripture.

If others look to you for guidance, direct them toward Christ and help them develop understanding rather than permanent dependence upon your opinion. Explain the reasons from the text, admit limits, and welcome appropriate questions. If you receive teaching, be grateful without surrendering discernment. No reputation makes a person incapable of error or gives him the right to control matters beyond his proper responsibility.