The Lystra Syndrome

“The mother's heart is the child's classroom.” Henry Ward Beecher

The Lystra Syndrome

Paul and Barnabas were ministering in Iconium [Greek meaning : (coming)] and performing “miraculous signs and wonders.” But the Jews there stirred up the people and poisoned their minds, so much so, that they had to flee for their lives. So they went on to Lystra. [Greek meaning: (that dissolves or disperses)]
In Lystra they met a man who had been crippled since birth:

“At Lystra a man was sitting who had no strength in his feet,
lame from his mother's womb, who had never walked.
This man was listening to Paul as he spoke, who,
when he had fixed his gaze on him
and had seen that he had faith to be made well,
said with a loud voice, ‘Stand upright on your feet.’
And he leaped up and began to walk.”

When they people of Lystra saw what Paul had done they began to shout and proclaim that he (Paul) was a god in human form. They started to call Paul Hermes* and Barnabas Zeus**

*Hermes( Greek Ἑρμῆς) is the Messenger of the Gods in Greek mythology. An Olympian god he is also the patron of boundaries and of the travelers who cross them, of shepherds and cowherds of thieves and road travelers, of orators and wit, of literature and poets, of athletics, of weights and measures, of invention, of general commerce, and of the cunning of thieves and liars
** In Greek mythology, Zeus is the kingof the gods the ruler of Mount Olympis and the god of the sky and thunder. His symbols are the thunderbolt, eagle, bull and oak. In addition to his Indo-European inheritance, the classical "cloud-gatherer" also derives certain iconographic traits from the cultures of the ancient Near East, such as the secpter. Zeus is frequently depicted by Greek artists in one of two poses: standing, striding forward, with a thunderbolt leveled in his raised right hand, or seated in majesty.

“When the crowds saw what Paul had done,
they raised their voice, saying in the Lycaonian language,
‘The gods have become like men and have come down to us’."

When Paul and Barnabas heard what was going on, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the streets saying:

"Men, why are you doing these things? We are also men of the same nature as you, and preach the gospel to you that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them.”
Acts 14:15 NASB

One of the greatest temptations in the Christian walk is that of being significant. The fact is that men and women of the world and believers alike will try to heap praise and adoration on other men and women of God. This is especially true when there is an obvious anointing on a person, to bring forth God’s Word, or an anointing for healing or deliverance or prophecy…etc. People are quick to try to build temples around others the way Peter did on the Mount of Transfiguration.

“Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’"
Matthew 17:4 NASB

Whenever God uses us in a miraculous way, we need to guard ourselves against feeling significant. It is the Lord who saves, heals, delivers, gives words of knowledge or wisdom, speaks prophetically or gives us a dream, vision or special revelation, or other gifting or anointing that we are to share with others.

It is easy to start thinking highly of oneself (“Wow! I’m really spiritual – if God used me like that!”) I always try to balance myself when these temptations come along by remembering Balaam’s donkey. If God can cause a donkey to speak to accomplish His purposes, then that prophetic word He spoke though me… is just that… His prophetic word! The only part I played in it was being a willing and available vessel fit for the Master’s use; and I can’t even take credit for that! We must continually guard against feeling significant in ourselves and walk humbly before our God.

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