6 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. 7 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. 8 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. 9 Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 10 Then he 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? 11 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. ~ Acts of the Apostles 13:6-11NLT
Elymus interfered and urged the Governor to not listen to the Gospel. Being a sorcerer, he most likely not only used his words to urge the Governor but also a charm. He was using his position and demonic/Satanic power to his own advantage. How? If the Governor received salvation, the sorcerers and the false prophets would lose their influence over the Governor.
He was physically trying to keep the Governor in spiritual darkness; in doing so, he opened himself up to be taken over by physical darkness. We have to be careful what we say and do because every physical act has a spiritual reward or consequence.
Dear LORD, please help me not to act against You. Help me to have reverence for You and Your Kingdom. Help me to always show Your light to the world and to never snuff it out. Help me to always kindle the flame of the gifts You have given me and never use them for my own selfish ambition and gain.
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