The Book of Acts ~ Study Forty-Four

"Blinded Opposition"

Paul's First Missionary Journey

Acts 13:4-12 (NLT) So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus. There, in the town of Salamis, they went to the Jewish synagogues and preached the word of God. John Mark went with them as their assistant.

   Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

   Saul also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye and said, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time." Instantly mist and darkness came over the man’s eyes, and he began groping around begging for someone to take his hand and lead him.

   When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

Salamis on the island of Cyprus today

We first hear of "Saul" being referred to as "Paul" in this first missionary trip after being sent out by the church leaders of Antioch. Barnabas and John Mark accompanied him. We see Paul being the leader and preacher more so than Barnabas here as well. They set off from the Port City of Seleucia and sail to Cyprus. They arrive at the city of Salamis and immediately begin preaching the Good News in the Jewish Synagogues.

They began to travel all over the island and came to Paphos. Here in the city of Paphos, they are called by the Proconsul (governor) to explain what they were preaching about. A man named Bar-Jesus who was called Elymas (sorcerer) had made himself the Proconsul's sidekick. He influence over him I'm sure and was more than likely used to make decisions.


The relationship between the Govornor and Elymas the Sorcerer is  very similar to making decisions today by consulting your horoscope or a palm reader. God doesn't take kindly to this type of behavior especially on the part of Christians. Do you ever do this? What do think about it?


Here is what the Bible says about the subject:


Deuteronomy 18:9-11 (NLT) When you enter the land the Lord your God is giving you, be very careful not to imitate the detestable customs of the nations living there. For example, never sacrifice your son or daughter as a burnt offering. And do not let your people practice fortune-telling, or use sorcery, or interpret omens, or engage in witchcraft, or cast spells, or function as mediums or psychics, or call forth the spirits of the dead.


Galatians 5:19-21 (NLT) When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.


God takes this type of thing seriously because it is a form of worship and by seeking the advice of mediums and such is seeking the will of Satan, not the will of God. It's not just fun and games. This is serious business.


This Sorcerer had attached himself to the Governor of Paphos. What have you allowed to bind to you? Who or what do you allow to influence you other than godly friends? What do you rely on that steers you away from God and His will?


Elymas the Sorcerer knew the threat from Paul and Barnabas. Satan is threatened by God and His people. Paul and Barnabas were a scourge to Elymas and he tried in vain to keep the Governor from hearing the life-giving truth. Little did he know that God's Spirit in Paul was about to silence him.


What needs to be silenced and eliminated in your life or of the lives if people you know? What keeps a person from hearing the full Word of God?


I love the way the Message version of the Bible words the following passage of Scripture:


Romans 10:17 (MSG)  Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: "Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?" The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ's Word is preached, there's nothing to listen to."


We've all said those same words; "Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening..." Oh, yes He cares and He's listening. But, because we don't really believe He cares, we seek the advice of those who really don't know the truth and can steer us away from the Truth. 


The story continues with Paul taking action against the evil influence of Elymas the Sorcerer. He says this to him, “You son of the devil, full of every sort of deceit and fraud, and enemy of all that is good! Will you never stop perverting the true ways of the Lord? Watch now, for the Lord has laid his hand of punishment upon you, and you will be struck blind. You will not see the sunlight for some time.” Like a shot out of a high powered rifle God's Holy Spirit took action and blinded Elymas. 


When the Governor saw what happened he believed what Paul and Barnabas were preaching. The obstacle was removed to the whole truth to settle into his heart. It is so important that we face the opposition of God in our lives head-on with the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.  If you aren't getting through to someone, pray for the removal of the opposition. It is still up to them to accept the Truth, but they will hear it.


Psalm 66:16-20 (MSG) All believers, come here and listen, let me tell you what God did for me. I called out to him with my mouth, my tongue shaped the sounds of music. If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened. But he most surely did listen, he came on the double when he heard my prayer. Blessed be God: he didn't turn a deaf ear, he stayed with me, loyal in his love.


If you are having a hard time hearing the Lord, then you need to pray that God will remove the things in your life that hinder you from hearing Him. He needs to be first. Let go of things that keep you from Him. Is there an addiction, a person, a past hurt that is barring you from hearing Him? PRAY! Be honest. Let Him in and let go of all that hinders you. Hear what Jesus says. Open you eyes and ears and let Him determine your steps not someone else. 


I've said before, "He's the One who knows you best and loves you most." Why go to anyone or anything else?  Go to Jesus.


Matthew 13:16 (NLT) "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear."