Acts 14:8-18 Paul and Barnabas at Lystra

Signs and wonders continue to accompany Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey. It is very interesting to see how Paul worked in the supernatural realm. The Holy Spirit would enable him to look at someone and "see" if they had faith to be healed. This was the case with a man crippled from birth and Paul commanded him to stand up straight. Paul was in tune with the Holy Spirit. I yearn to walk with the Spirit like Paul; to receive guidance and direction according to God's will every day.

Unfortunately, walking in the Spirit does not prevent people from misunderstanding. Spiritual success comes with its own liabilities. The people from Lystra interpreted the healing as a demonstration of Paul and Barnabas' deity and they called them gods - Hermes and Zeus respectively. And worst of all, they set out to offer sacrifices in worship to them. How do I handle spiritual success? When the Holy Spirit manifests himself through my life, the enemy is ready to attack with pride using people to place me on a pedestal for just being an obedient instrument in his hand.

The Apostles counter with the preaching of the Gospel. They stated that they were human, of like nature with them and called them to turn away from idolatry to the living God who deserves to be worshiped for he is the Creator of all things. They explain that God gave them a witness of himself in his provision of rain and crops for their sustenance. He is the only one that deserves to be worshiped and adored. When people set out to place me on a pedestal, it is an opportunity to share the Gospel. It is an opportunity to exalt my God.

It is important to notice that not all the people understood the message and many continued to worship Paul and Barnabas thinking of them as gods. Paul and Barnabas continued to preach the Gospel and allowed the Holy Spirit to work in people's lives. But they had to endure the attacks of the enemy. Spiritual success brings about much pain. Success in the kingdom calls for more humility before our God and more dependence upon our God. Otherwise, I can spiral out of control by the enemy's whispers that somehow I have anything to do with God's work in people's lives. God is the author and I am a mere instrument in his hands. I must keep that perspective.

Father, teach me to walk by the Spirit day by day. Fill me to overflowing that you may be able to use me as an instrument in your hands. Teach me to overcome the attacks of the enemy that come out of the successes you grant to your servant. Help me to stay humble and dependent on you. Amen.