It’s easy to believe that simply living a good, moral life is enough to point people to Jesus. But Scripture gives us a different picture—one that emphasizes both the power of our actions and the necessity of our words. The story of Paul and Barnabas in Lystra (Acts 14) serves as a powerful reminder that good deeds alone can be misunderstood unless they’re accompanied by clear, verbal testimony.
The Story of Lystra: A Misunderstood Miracle
In Acts 14, Paul and Barnabas arrive in the city of Lystra, where Paul performs a miraculous healing: a man crippled from birth is suddenly able to walk. It’s a dramatic, godly act—a moment that showcases the power of Christ at work.
But the crowd’s reaction is unexpected. Rather than praising the true God, the people of Lystra interpret the miracle through their own cultural and religious framework. They shout that “the gods have come down to us in human form,” calling Barnabas Zeus and Paul Hermes. They even prepare to offer sacrifices to them.
Despite Paul and Barnabas’s urgent attempts to explain the truth—that they are merely men and that the miracle was done by the power of the living God—the crowd continues in confusion. The miracle, though real and powerful, was misinterpreted because it wasn’t clearly understood in the context of the gospel message.
The Lesson: Actions Without Words Can Mislead
This story teaches a vital truth: godly actions, even miracles, can be misunderstood when not accompanied by clear explanation. People interpret what they see through the lens of their own background, culture, and beliefs. Without verbal clarification, the meaning behind our actions may be completely lost—or worse, twisted into something false.
We often assume that if we live differently—if we’re kind, honest, forgiving, and sacrificial—people will automatically understand that it’s because of Jesus. But that’s not always the case. They might simply see us as “nice people,” or attribute our behavior to personal values, upbringing, or general morality.
That’s why Romans 10:17 is so crucial: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Scripture doesn’t say that faith comes by watching. It comes by hearing—by receiving the spoken message of the gospel.
Living and Speaking: A Unified Witness
Living like Christ is essential—it gives credibility to our message and shows the gospel in action. But merely living with a Christian example is not enough. The door that godly living opens must be followed by a verbal invitation to know Jesus. Our lives are meant to reflect Christ, but our words are meant to reveal Him.
When we both live and speak the Gospel, we offer people not only a glimpse of God’s character but a clear path to relationship with Him. We embody the love of Christ and explain the source of that love. This is the full picture of Christian witness.
God hasn’t called us to choose between living for Christ and speaking about Christ. He’s called us to both. The story of Paul and Barnabas reminds us that even the most powerful acts of God can be misinterpreted if not accompanied by words of truth.
- Living For Christ Is Not Enough Without Words - 2025-09-17
- Jesus, Paul & James In Agreement (5) - 2025-09-11
- Jesus, PAUL and James on Salvation (4) - 2025-09-03