Act 13:6 When they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain magician, a Jewish false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
Act 13:7 He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God.
Act 13:8 But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.
Act 13:9 But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him
Act 13:10 and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord?
Act 13:11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand.
Act 13:12 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
Barnabas and Paul were hampered by a magician and false prophet who opposed him, and who tried to block the proconsul from hearing the truth. Paul rebuked the false prophet and by the power of God blinded him for a time. Saul had been blinded by the Lord for a time so that when he was able to see the light again that he saw the truth that Jesus is Lord. Saul was converted and he became the apostle Paul. By blinding the false prophet the proconsul believed
We were all blinded by false belief for a time, but when we came to Jesus we were able to see him as who he is. The hymn "Amazing Grace", speaks of this.
Amazing Grace, How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
I once was lost, but now am found
T'was blind but now I see...
Isa 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.
Isa 60:2 For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you.
Isa 60:3 And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.
Isa 60:4 Lift up your eyes all around, and see; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from afar, and your daughters shall be carried on the hip.
The world around us is full of false teachings, false news, false idols and gods. Let us pray that the light of God's grace be shown forth to open the eyes of the lost souls who are blind to the good news that God has sent his son to bring us to himself. Thank you God for all your blessings.
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