Elymas the Sorcerer

Acts 13:5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

They arrived at the city of Salamis, on the Island of Cypress. This was the place Barnabas had as his early home. (Acts 4:36) First the Gospel goes to those we know, our friends, our home city, then to the whole world.

Acts 13:6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus:

Barjesus meant son of Jesus, but this was no son of Jesus. He was a son of satan. We don't know someone so much by a name; it is the character we see.

Acts 13:7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God.

Acts 13:8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.

Elymas, a son of satan, withstood him. Satan always opposes God's people.

Opposition will follow the people of God...

John 15:18 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
John 15:19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.

Eph 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
Eph 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
Eph 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Our spiritual weapon is the word of God.

Satan will oppose the word, seek to discredit it. But we stand on the word, not defend it with our words, but with the word itself.

2 Tim 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

Psa 119:11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.

Heb 4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Heb 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

Next satan will accuse you and come against you personally.

Overcome him by your testimony, do not defend yourself by words of wisdom.

Rev 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

It is the blood of the lamb and the Holy Ghost witness within us, that is the power to overcome satan.

Another power, as the Holy Spirit directs you, is to cast out the devil or bind him in Jesus name.

Mat 16:19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

Acts 13:9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,
Acts 13:10 And said, O full of all subtlety and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord?
Acts 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

Paul, full of the Holy Ghost and power blinds the sorcerer. Perhaps remembering his own encounter with Jesus, he was blinded and repented. Will the sorcerer repent? Elymus was preventing another from receiving the Lord. Paul stopped him.

How often in chats when we are close to leading someone to the Lord, satan will send his worker of iniquity into the room. Whenever possible, it is best to be one on one, to avoid satan's distractions. Even when ministering in the nursing homes, often when the gospel is being preached a patient will begin speaking in a loud noise, I know who wants to silence God's word, but it will not be silenced.

Acts 13:12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

This made a believer out of the deputy. This and the gospel message. Miracles alone will not save you, you must follow the light of the gospel word. Feelings leave, his word stays in our heart. A conversion is of God, through believing in his son, and by confession and repentance.