The scene was unsettling. The well dressed and usually dignified Elymas groped frantically at the air, screaming, “Somebody, give me your hand; I can’t see!” He was undoubtedly shocked at his sudden calamity. How could this be happening? He was used to commanding a great deal of respect. After all, he was an advisor to Sergius PaulusSergius, who was proconsul of Cyprus (the highest Roman official on the island) about a.d. 45-46. But now he felt so helpless and rattled to his core.

Evidently Elymas had worked his way into political power using magic and sorcery, but he called himself a man of God. This incident proved that his faith was not in the real God. He was religious, but God was not on his side. He was politically correct and socially adept, but spritually bankrupt. And, when a couple of politically weak, socially rejected missionaries by the names of Paul and Barnabas were summoned to come share their faith with this important politician, his in-house prophet was invited to join the event. 

A plethora of Biblical and historical accounts demonstrate that God will often move on the hearts of believers, causing them to seek Him and the way of life that will set them free. The Governor was about to embark on a life-changing journey of faith and the enemy of his soul used a fake preacher to attempt to sabatoge that conversion experience. Satan often uses people or cultures to shame or intimidate other people who are interested in finding out more about God. Paul and Barnabas spoke the truth, but Elymas “withstood them. Elymas means “sorcerer” in Greek. His given name was Bar-jesus. He was in the battle of his life, trying to preserve his man-invented religion and his political influence, but his magic is about to meet its match.

Some may be tacken back by this story in Acts chapter 13 and consider it rude or extreme. But, because a soul was hanging in the balance, God used Paul to put this magician in his place. Here is how Scripture records the confrontation:

Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. 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? 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. When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord. (Acts 13:9-12 NLT)

In contrast to a world system that is becoming more hostile toward truth-speakers, there are still many people who God is calling to true faith – including people who are politically and financially influential. That is why it is so important that those who call themselves Christians today are as genuine in their faith and practice as Paul and Barbabas were. We need Christian leaders who teach what Jesus taught without being intimidated by fake believers who have rewritten tenants of faith to adapt to their preferred theology and way of life. In recent years there have been stories similar to the one recorded in Acts, proving that God is still interested in souls and that he will even reach for governors who are willing to believe.