Prophetic Prayer-Distinguishing the Voice of G3D
With more and more prophetic voices available online, sometimes it’s hard to know whom to listen to and sometimes even harder to know who is actually hearing The Voice of G3D. Rulers during the First Century Church struggled with this same issue and after a spiritual confrontation, a false prophet was left in the dark.
During their missionary trips around Asia Minor, Apostle Paul and Barnabas visited a location called Paphos, where they met a man famous in the region. This man’s name was Elymas, but self-appointed himself Bar-Jesus, meaning Son of the Messiah. He was a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet who had used his skilled at deception to place himself as the attendant to the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. This regional governor was intelligent and had heard of the exploits of Barnabas and Saul, wanting to hear directly from them the Word of G3D.
Elymas Bar-Jesus, recognized that they were legitimate sources of G3D’s Word and felt that his position as a political and/or religious advisor to the provincial governor would be threatened if he spoke with Apostle Paul and Barnabas. Elymas the sorcerer attempted to slander and oppose them, trying desperately to turn Governor Sergius Paulus from hearing the Gospel and becoming a faithful follower.
When Apostle Paul and Barnabas finally confronted Elymas, the tension must have been intense. Paul, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, directly challenged Elymas, looking straight into his eyes and condemned him with these words “You are the child of the devil and an enemy of everything that is right! You are full of all kinds of deceit and trickery. Will you never stop perverting the right ways of the Lord?”
Paul had called the man who fancied himself the son of the Messiah, what he truly was: a child of the devil. Paul also criticized his political position, saying that he was an enemy to everything thing that is right. No doubt, provincial governor Sergius Paulus, who may have served as a judge for the region as well, would have recognized the implication that Paul was making and been stung with regret for having followed any of Elymas’ advice in areas of Justice. Paul also called out Elymas’ practicing of the dark arts as a sorcerer who specialized in deceiving and tricking their victims. Even after hearing how he had been so foolish to trust such a corrupt official, Paul further rebuked the governor’s lack of judgement by revealing that Elymas was also a false prophet who had been giving him whispers from his lips rather than the true Words of the Lord.
Though the proconsul had his attendant publicly critiqued, he was privately humiliated in his heart. But because Sergius earnestly sought the Voice of G3D, he was spared from further punishment, though his wicked advisor faced the Wrath of G3D for his extensive deceptions.
Paul declared a judgment that ironically matched the same he experienced for his persecution of the growing Christian population. “Now the Hand of the Lord is against you. You are going to be blind for a time, not even able to see the light of the sun”.
Immediately, mist and darkness came over Elymas in a horrifying display that superseded the pageantry of the dark magic that he practiced and used against his enemies. The sorcerer who allegedly could see into the future, was now blind and was forced to grope about, looking for someone to lead him by the hand.
When the proconsul saw the results of this spiritual battle, he was filled with faith and believed. He had received such limited knowledge through Elymas’ filter, that he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord from Paul and Barnabas (ref. Acts 13:6-12).
Despite his flaws in failing to recognize the treachery of Elymas, Sergius Paulus actually serves as a strong example of how we, and not just modern politicians, should genuinely seek G3D. Despite his elevated position, he still sought out spiritual advice to lead him in his work and life. But he did not become complacent either. Ironically, though he would have been provided multiple forms of constantly new array of distractions and secret teachings through Elymas, Sergius Paulus sought the authentic Word of G3D. Even when he realized that he had been listening to false doctrine, the proconsul still humbled himself and wanted to learn everything he could from the mouths of true Apostles and Prophets.
As more and more nationally renowned spiritual leaders fall by the wayside, pray that those who carry the authentic Voice of G3D be lifted up and given opportunities for our local, state, and federal leaders to hear His Truth. Even moreso, pray that our leaders’ egos do not prevent them from replacing their current advisors after realizing their mistake of having them as counsel.
As the world has become more and more spiritually minded, we need to stop and recognize the kind of spirit that is behind the knowledge that we are receiving. That is especially true concerning our politicians and anyone with governmental authority. As we begin to fight for the future of our country, we must remember it is not just who is put at the Head of government, but who has the Soul of our Nation.
Prepared by, Kent Simpson, Apostolic Prophet & Eric Sepulveda, PMT Administrator
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