Authority Over Evil

LIVE@5 – Monday, June 27, 2022

Acts 13:4–12 (NKJV)

4 So, being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia, and from there they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they arrived in Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. They also had John as their assistant.
6 Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, 7 who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him 10 and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? 11 And now, indeed, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you shall be blind, not seeing the sun for a time.”
And immediately a dark mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Acts 13:4-12

As Barnabus and Saul began their first missionary journey, they came to Seleucia and sailed to Cyprus, and preached the word of God in the synagogues. As they traveled, they encountered a sorcerer who had great influence over a Roman governor on the island, Sergius Paulus. This governor, or proconsul, wanted to hear the word of God and know more about Christ. The sorcerer tried to prevent them from speaking to Sergius Paulus, but Saul (first called Paul here) called him out and cursed him with temporary blindness. This blindness came immediately, and the proconsul believed on Christ, sparking a revival of sorts in the area.

When sharing the gospel or reaching out to others with care and compassion in the name of Jesus Christ, you may face opposition. That should not stop the gospel. Christians should not live in fear of sharing their testimony, or the gospel story. Fear is a tool of the enemy. Resistance is a natural response to an invading force, and the devil and his minions will fight back when the kingdom of God begins moving in. However, the power of God in the Spirit-filled believer is greater than the power of the world and the power of Satan. Stand strong, deliver the word, and–when necessary–take authority over those who will oppose the work of the gospel. God is with you, and His power grants you authority over evil!