FRIDAY June 23, 2023

Opposition to the Christian Faith

They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.
Acts 13:6-8 NIV

The center of the missionary thrust had its base in Antioch. The Holy Spirit led Barnabas and Saul on their journey to Gentile nations. They went to Seleucia, on the west bank of the Tigris River, and sailed to Cyprus, and traveled to its capital city Salamis where they preached God’s Word in Jewish synagogues. As they evangelized, the hard missionary work was successful. The company continued to preach the Gospel in the coastal city of Paphos. Here they met a false prophet––Bar-Jesus––a Jewish sorcerer who used witchcraft to do wonders through demonic power. He was also named Elymas meaning “a wise man, magician.”

Serguis, the proconsul, became very interested in what Barnabas and Saul were preaching. He summoned them to come and share with him their message. He wanted to hear more. The Word of God really appealed to him, as the conviction of the Holy Spirit was moving in his life. Knowing the possibility of his conversion, the sorcerer tried to turn him away from the truth, to keep him from accepting Christ. Perhaps he was receiving money from Serguis, and he did not want his conversion to affect his livelihood. Satan always uses someone to oppose God’s work.

Know this: when you are witnessing to you relatives, and the Holy Spirit is moving on their hearts to bring them to Christ, expect Satan to try to get in the way and hinder the work of God. The enemy will try to turn them away from the faith. This is spiritual warfare. Continue to pray, rebuking the enemy in Jesus name, and keep sharing the Gospel message as God opens doors for you to do so.

We are not alarmed because Satan hinders us, for it is a proof that we are on the Lord’s side, and are doing the Lord’s work, and in his strength we shall win the victory, and triumph over our adversary.
~C.H. Spurgeon~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!