Beware of Elymas!(Showdown at Paphos)

Baptist Daily Devotional
Jul 24
2 min read

Rev. Enoch Thompson | July 24 2025 | Acts 13:6-12

KEY VERSE: “But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith.” Acts 13:8 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

The forward march of the Church is mapped out through the territory of satanic opposition. When we are committed to following King Jesus’ orders to represent Him in the world, we must be aware that we shall face satanic opposition. A close examination of Scripture reveals that the purposes and plans of God in establishing His Church and the mission of the Church as outlined in the Great Commission will continuously operate within the context of the enemy's opposition. When the Lord Jesus announced His agenda to build His Church, He immediately placed it within the sphere of Satanic opposition: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” Matt. 16:18 (NIV).

Elymas the sorcerer tried to dissuade the Proconsul Sergius Paulus from attending to and possibly committing to the Gospel, but thank God for the superior power of the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The contest for the sanity and sanctity of your life will continue because you are part of the Church. When you encounter Elymas (Bar-Jesus), remember the true Saviour, Jesus Christ of Nazareth, and activate the power in His Name to subdue the opposition.

FEET AND HANDS FOR THE MESSAGE:

What do you do when you face what is plainly satanic opposition to your life of divine assignments? Don’t coil back and give room to evil. Stand in Jesus; Name and silence the enemy.

PRAYER:

Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the power in your Name against and over all the schemes of the evil one. Please help me remember and use the power of your Name to confront and defeat the enemy. For your dear Name’s sake, Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSING.

SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!

The 365 DAILY BIBLE READING Day 205: Ecclesiastes 11-12 - Remember Your Creator

DAILY word study: OPPOSED

The word “opposed” in Acts 13:8 comes from the Greek anthistēmi (ἀνθίστημι). Instead of simply meaning “disagree,” it carries the sense of standing in the way, resisting, or blocking someone’s path.

This same word appears in Ephesians 6:13, where believers are called to “stand your ground.” It’s used when something is actively trying to stop or resist progress. Elymas didn’t just argue—he was intentionally trying to stop the governor from hearing the gospel.

Reflect on this:

What does it take to recognise real spiritual resistance? And when truth is being blocked, what does it mean for you to “stand your ground”?