It is no secret that Kings and rulers throughout history have consulted astronomers, magicians, and sorcerers. Today it is not unheard-of that world leaders consult astrologers as they schedule key events. It is also no secret that there are demonic forces at foot in our world. How else could you explain some of the most wicked, heinous acts?
What happens when the power of the gospel confronts the power of the occult? The contest on Cyprus in Acts chapter 13 and its outcome show us. The Missionary Thrust: Proclaiming the Word (13:4-5). God wins every conflict, the war is already won and our enemy is playing for keeps.
The Power of God is strong enough to convince and shut up politicians. Now that’s powerful. Paul and Barnabas were led by the Holy Spirit and because of the power of the testimony and the message they proclaimed even the Governor of the region, known as the proconsul desired to hear their message.
The Governor was recorded as being an intelligent man, and desired to hear more about the message Paul and Barnabus preached. The lost are hungry for the gospel. 8 out of 10 people would at least listen to the message of the gospel, according the Billy Graham Evangelistic association. Church goers have bought the lie that the world is not interested. That is simply not true. People are desperate for hope, healing and purpose.
Furthermore, Satan cannot by any means stop the conviction of the Holy Spirit; nor can he hinder sinners from hearing the call of God to repentance. However he can try to confuse the hearer with vain philosophy, discourage the messenger, and distract us from the faith. That is exactly what Bar-Jesus, the false prophet was seeking to do.
Bar-Jesus is probably a court astrologer with demonic powers (who calls him part of the world of "religious con-artists who practiced quackery and interpreted dreams"). He reminds me a great deal of flaky tela-evangelists like Peter Poppoff, or other who exploit “divine powers” to bring about fame and fortune. As a sorcerer he claims to know magic formulas by which he can break the bonds of fate and give the governor control over the future. When faced with the truth of the gospel, Bar-Jesus actively opposes the missionaries (compare Lk 21:15; Acts 6:10). He makes every effort to "completely turn aside" the governor from the faith (compare 13:10; 20:30). Bar-Jesus was full of the devil.I find his name interesting. Bar in the Greek means Son of Jesus or the son of the one who saves. He tried to set Himself up as someone great, he imitated the powers of God. He tried to convince the rulers and the people that he had real, unrivaled powers.
Despite the convincing show put on by Bar-Jesus, we see a greater power at work. Satan has limited power, is not omnipresent, omniscient, nor omnipotent. He is a created being and though he has been around for many ions he is limited yet crafty. He can predict the ways of man. However he is by no means a rival to God.
In contrast, The Holy Spirit is clearly at work in this confrontation and is the victor hands down. In the first half of this passage we see the sovereignty of God the Spirit to draw sinners to him and His followers to action, empowerment of his followers to deliver His message, and the overwhelming power over the enemy and the effect that has to bring sinners to repentance.
After the Holy Spirit defeated the powers of the enemy by striking the sorcerer with blindness the Governor believed. This story is a reminder of what the Apostle John reminds us of in his epistle:
“You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.” ~ 1 John 4:4
No matter what difficulty we face in life our God is stronger. The question than for us: are we satisfied with Jesus? Are we trying to find something else outside of our relationship with Jesus Christ? Are we relying enough on the power and sufficiency of the Holy Spirit or on our own strength? At the end of the day I am not enough! I need Jesus and His Spirit every hour. Without him my attempts to show off are nothing. We can have the most convincing display of power and piety yet if we are fighting for any team but God we have already lost?
Whose team are you on any way are you fighting for yourself, your family, your career? If you’re fighting to make yourself known than your fighting a losing battle. I urge you to stop fighting to lay it all down at the foot of the cross and let God fight your battles. It’s not yours to fight! Give it to God
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