But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Acts 13:8
Our text today brings to mind one of Aesop’s fables: A dog looking out for its afternoon nap jumped into the manger of an ox and lay there cosily upon the straw. But soon the ox, returning from its afternoon work, came up to the manger and wanted to eat some of the straw. The dog in a rage, being awakened from its slumber, stood up and barked at the ox, and whenever it came near attempted to bite it. At last the ox had to give up the hope of getting at the straw, and went away muttering, ‘people often grudge others what they cannot enjoy themselves’. And yet the evil sorcerer who sought to prevent Sergius Paulus from hearing and accepting the Gospel had a worse agenda than the selfish and nasty ‘dog in the manger’ attitude. He was an outright enemy of the Gospel. And sadly he has plenty of counterparts today.
Paul was correct to label this man a child of the devil and an enemy of all righteousness (verse 10). When we think of how necessary it is for sinners to hear the Gospel and to be saved, we realize how wicked it is to prevent anyone from hearing the message. If they succeed, they effectively condemn the would-be listeners to hell. And what could possibly be a worse crime than that? But this crime is being committed all around us today. People refuse to attend Gospel meetings, or even take a Gospel tract, and they deny their children the opportunity as well. Many preachers have told stories of their efforts to visit sick people in the hospital only to be blocked by objecting family members. How dreadfully sad! And how dreadfully evil of those who prevent anyone from hearing the Gospel! Surely God will hold them to account for such an evil deed.
The good news is that the wickedness of Elymas was thwarted by the intervention of Paul, and Sergius Paulus was saved. It took a miracle, the smiting of Elymas with blindness, to remove him from the picture and allow the deputy to hear and respond to the Gospel. You and I would be wise not to try to call down blindness on those who seek to prevent others from hearing the Gospel. But that does not mean there is nothing that we can do. The avenue of prayer is always open to us, and we should pray, knowing that God is not willing that any should perish (2 Peter 3:9). We should also be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit in searching for other ways to reach those who are searching. God can open doors that we can’t see and work miracles to confound the devil’s children.
How cruel of the devil to block the Gospel message! Resist him today. -Jim MacIntosh