Acts 13:4-12. The two of them, sent on their way by the Holy Spirit, went down to Seleucia and sailed from there to Cyprus. 5 When they arrived at Salamis, they proclaimed the word of God in the Jewish synagogues. John was with them as their helper.
6 They traveled through the whole island until they came to Paphos. There they met a Jewish sorcerer and false prophet named Bar-Jesus, 7 who was an attendant of the proconsul, Sergius Paulus. The proconsul, an intelligent man, sent for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for that is what his name means) opposed them and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. 9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, 10 “You are a 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? 11 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 him, and he groped about, seeking someone to lead him by the hand. 12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.
Only Scripture reveals the reality of the kingdom of darkness (Matthew 12:25–27; John 16:11). How did it begin? Having lost the war against Michael and his angels, Satan was hurled to the earth along with his angels (Revelation 12:7–9). Since then, he has been leading the whole world astray.
In defiance of God, the devil deceived mankind to side with him and succeeded in trapping the first man and woman by offering them something they could not resist: “You will be like God” (Genesis 3:5).
Mankind, who absolutely needs God and was created to remain in relationship with Him, fell into the lies of the enemy. Though created to love God alone, people have become “lovers of themselves,” “lovers of money,” and “lovers of pleasure” (2 Timothy 3:1–4).
As a result, everyone has been born spiritually dead, under the power of the devil, curse, and hell (Genesis 3:1–19). Nothing anyone could do could restore their relationship with God.
In the Age of the Nephilim (Genesis 6:1–9), mankind—originally created as a spiritual being—became flesh (Genesis 6:3), chasing after its own desires: eating, drinking, getting married, pursuing money and pleasure. People were created to enjoy physical blessings that flow from spiritual blessings, but they exchanged their eternal blessings for temporary possessions and pleasures. Marriage without God’s covenant led to families with spiritual problems, which in turn produced societies and nations with spiritual problems.
Satan has continued to lead the effort to challenge God’s authority by filling people’s hearts and minds with a burning desire to succeed at any cost, along with personal ambition, selfish motives, and endless goals in life (Genesis 11:1–9). To prevent further disaster caused by their spiritual rebellion, God scattered them across the earth.
It is therefore critical to see that Satan’s aggression toward mankind, which began in Genesis 3, 6, and 11, continues today. Satan has created a frame around us using world powers, economy, and culture.
Scripture says that Satan controls the minds of “the rulers, the authorities, and the powers of this dark world” (Ephesians 6:12). Without knowing God, our elected leaders and all those in authority live in the same state of Genesis 3, 6, and 11.
As a result, they pursue political gain at any cost, like Pontius Pilate (Matthew 27:24), engage in endless political rivalry like King Saul (1 Samuel 18:8–9), carry out ruthless violence like Nimrod (Genesis 10:8–12), and promote idolatry like King Ahab and Queen Jezebel (1 Kings 16:29–33).
This is why wars never cease on this earth. Some leaders are tormented by evil spirits (1 Samuel 16:14–16), and like the proconsul Sergius Paulus in the book of Acts, they rely on the counsel of sorcerers and false prophets, who try to distort the message of the cross.
Little do these leaders know that they are drawing their strength and wisdom from the devil himself. Completely blinded by “the god of this age” (2 Corinthians 4:4), they cannot see the truth—just like King Agrippa (Acts 26:1–32).
But thanks be to God, who sent His Son Jesus as the True King to set us free from Satan’s frame and the powers of this dark world. Unlike all earthly kings, conquerors, and heroes, Jesus came as the Prince of Peace: “Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever” (Isaiah 9:7).
Having realized, believed, and confirmed that Jesus is the Christ, Paul preached the gospel that saved the proconsul’s life by overpowering the forces of darkness. Throughout his life, God placed Paul before kings and leaders to testify of Christ (Acts 19:21; Acts 23:11; Acts 24:1–27; Acts 25:1–12; Acts 26:1–32; Acts 27:24).
In the same way, as you remain in the covenant of God, He will place you at the “spiritual summit” so that you may save and heal leaders and nations through the power of the gospel. Remember, God made you a witness, a leader, and a commander for the people (Isaiah 55:4).
So, like King David, cultivate spiritual strength and skills to stand as Christ’s witness to all nations (Psalm 78:70–72). Lift up your leaders and those in authority in prayer (1 Timothy 2:2), so that the gospel movement may continue with boldness and without hindrance.
Above all, enjoy God’s presence through His Word, and seek His plans through prayer in all circumstances. God’s peace will soon crush Satan under our feet (Romans 16:20).
Prayer. Father, thank You for saving me from Satan’s traps and frames. Today I celebrate my freedom in Christ. Use my life to set others free from Satan’s hand by the power of the gospel. Open the eyes of our leaders and those in authority to see the brokenness of this world and turn to You. In the name of Jesus, Prince of Peace, Amen.