Checkmating Satanic Influence | Dislodging Bar-Jesus

And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 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. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. and said, O full of all subtilty 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 13:6-8 kjv

Scripture Reading:- Acts 13:6-12

It is common for persons in positions of power to have a ‘child of the devil’ disguised as a type of Christ assigned to them. The primary assignment of these fake-Christ’s is to pre-occupy them for satan and hinder the entry of God’s Kingdom to the souls within their jurisdiction.

They mount roadblocks (in hearts & minds) to the ‘right ways of the Lord’ which has the effect of posing the demonic question “who is the king of glory?” whenever the request to “lift up your heads o ye gates, that the king of glory may come in” ^{Psa 24:9} is made at the door of influence.

Until these enemies of righteousness are unmasked and arrested by the anointed ones of God, the reality of God’s kingdom cannot be visited upon the people/family/nation which they attach themselves to. If you come from a family where such is attached to the patriarch of the family, you will have to arise by the Spirit to contend for the hope of God in the lineage. Jesus equips the born-again believer with the Holy Ghost and Fire for this very reason; to be a soldier at war – confronting, overthrowing, & building for Christ.

Paul’s confrontation of Elymas the sorcerer sets a template worthy of emulation.

Pre-qualification: To be an effective Kingdom Enforcer

You must neither be naïve nor presumptuous about these basic truths:

1. You are part of a hostile force in a hostile environment with a clear mission.
2. Even if you leave the devil alone, He has his sights trained on you!
3. Visiting the kingdom into lives/nations/territories will often be met with resistance.
4. You must be anointed because it is what has the power to break yokes!
5. Victory is in Christ’s name alone not in any denomination, church paraphernalia, or G.O.
6. You must not bear His name casually nor vainly, His lordship over you must be unquestionable.^{Acts 19:15}
7. Maintaining your consecration keeps you in a sharp battle-ready posture.^{2 Ti 2:4}
8. Playing with sin (especially sexual sin) will make you a casualty of war eventually.

Template of Confrontation:

Eyes Set on Him | Accurate Discernment.

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him” ^{Acts 13:9},

• Paul was filled with the Holy Ghost so he could set his eyes on the sorcerer!
  Without the anointing of the Holy Spirit we would be food for the enemy!
• He was able to accurately discern the adversary by the Spirit. ^{Jo 9:14-16}
  Discernment is crucial to avoid falling for the subtlety of the enemy…ask Joshua
• Paul had eye-integrity! He maintained the right consecration levels of His eyes. ^{Matt 6:22}
  His eyes were single, and full of light. Samson’s lost consecration-He became captive to his prey
  

Judging by the Spirit | Accurate use of Authority

“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.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭13‬:‭11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

• Pharaohs sorcerers also carry staffs that turns to serpents!
  Denying the sorcerer has power is naivete, they will confound the unprepared in the battlefront.
  What matters is you have the rod (the word of God) & your rod (word) is able to swallow theirs!
• Paul understood the tenets of Jurisdiction & trespass. He handled Bar-Jesus from the heavenly courts! ^{Zech 3:1-6}
  Spiritual warfare very often must be prosecuted from the courtroom not the battlefield! And it is by knowledge & revelation not sentiment and ignorance.
• Paul understood what was at stake! He lived purposefully.
  Ultimately the ministry of reconciliation is our highest mandate.^{2 Cor 5:18}

Power Play is required | Opening the door of Faith.

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

• The kingdom of God is not just in talk! But demonstration of the power of God through the Holy Ghost.
  Reject any christianity that leaves you powerless. for without power you will be unable to fulfill the totality of your divine mandate!
• Until the people see some shifts, they will not believe!

Conclusion

In any place a Christian has opportunity to advance the Kingdom, Satanic resistance will be present. Yet Jesus has equipped us to advance the gospel of the kingdom beyond anything exalting itself against the knowledge of God.
We must be willing, trained and equipped to overthrow the government of satan standing over lives, families, communities, and nations. Nothing else will do.

Amen