November 12, 2025 -Devil You Lose!

ACTS 12:6-14:20

Chronological Bible Readings

^{Acts 13:6} Afterward they traveled from town to town across the entire island until finally they reached Paphos, where they met a Jewish sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. ⁷ He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God.

Here we have an intelligent man that was wanting to hear the word of God. But he lived a life that connected him to a sorcerer and false prophet who was working for the enemy. He didn't know that the evil one was the source of the sorcerer's power and words. But he is seeking to hear from God which we know that no one does that without being prompted by the Sprit.

^{Acts 13:8} But Elymas, the sorcerer (as his name means in Greek), interfered and urged the governor to pay no attention to what Barnabas and Saul said. He was trying to keep the governor from believing.

The primary goal of the enemy is to keep people from believing in God. Every one of his minions works to fulfill that purpose and that one is no different.

^{Act 13:9} Saul, also known as Paul, was filled with the Holy Spirit, and he looked the sorcerer in the eye. ¹⁰ 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?

Just last night at the table we talked about how from the beginning of time to the end of time the story that is told is repeated and reinforced. One story is the defeat of the enemy. In Genesis the snake is told that you will strike his heal but he will crush your head. Which to put it simply, "Devil, you lose." Jesus tempted in the desert without sin. "Devil you lose.". Jesus in the garden tempted to not go to the cross but accepts the will of the Father. "Devil you lose." Jesus on the cross. "It is finished". Again "Devil you lose." Now to Revelation the beast, false prophet and the devil are thrown into the lake of sulfur. "Devil you lose." You would think that by this point Satan should give up but he never does.

^{Acts 13:11} 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.

I find it amusing that the punishment for the false prophet is the same thing that happened to Saul when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus. But the difference is that even though Saul did terrible things he had a heart to serve God. This man had a heart to serve Satan.

^{Acts 13:12} When the governor saw what had happened, he became a believer, for he was astonished at the teaching about the Lord.

We can add this story. The governor becomes a believer and "Devil you lose!"