Elymas the Sorcerer

Scripture: Acts 13 v 5-12: "And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
 6  And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:
 7  Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.
 8  But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
 9  Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
 10  And said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
 11  And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.
 12  Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord."


Whenever you are doing something effective for the Lord, the enemy sends in his opposition. The more effective you are the more powerful will be the attack.

If you are in the ministry and do not know what it means to be attacked by Satan through various good and bad people, perhaps you should become more spiritually aggressive. If you are not disturbing the enemy nothing much is happening on your patch.

Paul was so formidable that an evil sorcerer was necessary to confront him and interfere in his ministry. Paul was making a good impression on the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, who wanted to hear the gospel.

Elymas was a Jewish false prophet, who was involved in sorcery. His surname was Bar-jesus. Those who have read "Bondage in our Names" will see that this sorcerer had two negatives in his name. Elymas means Sorcerer and Bar-jesus indicates a barrier to Jesus.

He used his evil powers to withstand Paul and Barnabas and to try to turn the deputy away from the faith. This man had no idea who he was messing with!!

Those words - then Paul filled with the Holy Ghost put his eyes on him! O what a look that must have been. And the words that poured from his mouth were withering, "O full of all subtilty (evil) and mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord."

Paul also punished him with blindness for a while to show him the error of his ways. The deputy got saved being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord. He saw the difference between right and wrong doctrines and practices manifested before his eyes. He saw the power of God and the authority of Paul to completely overwhelm a warlock and render him powerless. 

Our God is mighty and will always demonstrate His might to the forces of satan. It is the way confidence in God is built up. We need to see this power in action today. We need to have this same authority because Jesus died to give it to us.

He defeated Satan and all his demons by His resurrection. He stripped them of all weapons leaving them only able to bluff and con and lie to us. We must learn to know how they con us because when we listen to them and agree with them, we suffer for it.

They know how to attack with symptoms of illness. Do you know how to resist those symptoms and deny the enemy victory over you and your family?  Jesus wants you to live an abundant (more than enough) life.

You say you believe in Jesus for salvation so you will  go to heaven when you die. That is true but pitiful. Jesus broke every curse, every sickness, every sin, every poverty, every demon, every plan of the enemy for everyone for ever. Do you believe that? Do you act on that? Do you stand against the wiles of Satan with your armour on? Do you resist him and have the victory?

Fight the good fight, fellow Christian. Live the life of a believer in overcoming power over all the works of the enemy. Break the devil's heart daily by your unshakeable faith.  

Prayer: Heavenly Father, there is nothing that can overcome Your children if they walk in Your light, faith and power. Let us know our authority, and use it, so the enemy trembles to cross us. In Jesus' name. Amen.