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. —Acts 14:9-10
A man, lame from birth, sat in the crowd the day Paul preached the gospel in Lystra. The Bible doesn’t tell us what Paul said, but whatever he said produced faith in this man.
Heard, as it is used in this verse, implies the abiding results of a past action—the preaching of the Word. Paul’s preaching gave birth to faith, and it began to grow in the man the more he heard Paul expound. “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
The seed of the Word of God was planted in this man’s spirit. Paul continued to exhort the crowd when suddenly that seed of faith blossomed in his heart.
The man began acting as if he were already healed. Paul was able to see beyond his outward expression and see the condition of his heart. Paul, speaking words of faith, commanded him to stand—and he did, to the glory of God.
Are you living in defeat or confessing and acting in victory? You may not yet have seen your victory, but you know by faith that the victory has already been won at the cross. So live like a victor, not a victim!
Help me live victoriously today,
Lord Jesus. Amen.
