Power Over Deception

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Acts 13:1-12

 

2 Timothy 4:3-5

For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; ⁴ and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. ⁵ But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

(NKJV)

 

Paul wrote the epistle of 2 Timothy to his protégé, and it contains the warning of 2 Timothy 4:3-5, warning of a time that would come when people would not endure sound doctrine, falling for deceptive teaching. Deceptive teaching and interpretations of God’s word have always been present, but in the information age in which we live, deception can spread rapidly. The good news, however, is that sound teaching can also spread rapidly.

 

The church at Antioch had many prophets and teachers, with Barnabas and Saul among them (Acts 13:1). One day, as they ministered to the Lord and fasted, the Holy Spirit told them to separate Barnabas and Saul for the ministry to which the Lord had called them (Acts 13:2). In obedience to what the Holy Spirit told them, they laid hands upon them and sent them away (Acts 13:3).

 

After being sent out by the Holy Spirit, Barnabas and Saul went down to Seleucia and from there sailed to Cyprus (Acts 13:4). Upon their arrival at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews, along with John their assistant (Acts 13:5). As they went through the island pf Paphos, they encountered a sorcerer and false prophet who was a Jew named Bar-Jesus (Acts 13:6). Bar-Jesus accompanied the proconsul, an intelligent man who called for Barnabas and Saul because he wanted to hear the word of God (Acts 13:7). However, Bar-Jesus did not want the proconsul to hear the word of God, lest he become a believer (Acts 13:8).

 

Saul, who was also called Paul, looked intently at Bar-Jesus and called him a fraud, deceitful, a son of the devil, and an enemy of righteousness, asking if he would cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord (Acts 13:9-10). Paul then told Bar-Jesus that the hand of the Lord was upon him and that he would be blind for a time, unable to see the sun. At saying this, a mist fell on him, and he went around seeking someone to lead him by the hand (Acts 13:11). At seeing this occur, the proconsul believed, astonished at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:12).

 

Barnabas and Saul, now known as Paul, are sent out to minister, and after preaching to the Jews in Salamis, encounter a sorcerer and the proconsul. The sorcerer was with the proconsul, possibly as a spiritual advisor who did not want the proconsul exposed to the truth of God's word. It is also possible that this sorcerer profited from spreading his deception and was seeking the proconsul's endorsement. This is because proconsuls at that time were usually governors over a province, having great influence. Barnabas and Paul were a threat to his plans, something the Holy Spirit revealed to Paul (Acts 13:9-10). The mighty hand of the Lord fell on the sorcerer, and he became blind, with this demonstration of God’s power causing the proconsul to believe (Acts 13:11-12). The word of God preached under the power of the Holy Spirit can accomplish great things and overcome deception.

 

In the information age in which we live, the Bible is readily available on many digital platforms with many translations and versions. However, one must use caution in selecting a translation or version to study, as not all of them present the genuine truth of God’s Word. Accuracy of a translation involves its adherence to the original Hebrew and Greek, translating it into readability into the language it is translated into. This translation is accomplished either through word-for-word accuracy or thought-for-thought accuracy. The New King James Version (NKJV) I use in these postings represents a word-for-word translation from the original Greek and Hebrew that attempts to preserve the feel of the original King James Version.

 

After selecting an accurate translation that truthfully presents Scripture from its original form, one must seek interpretation of Scripture from the counsel of the Holy Spirit and teachers full of the Holy Spirit. Bar-Jesus in this text encountered a Spirit-filled man exposing his deception, with the proconsul coming to believe upon hearing the word of God and witnessing God’s power at work. Our churches must present God’s truth from his word with the power of the Holy Spirit within them, for this will cause people to believe like the proconsul.

 

God’s word is indeed powerful and sharper than a two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12). If you are reading this and, like the proconsul, now believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose from the dead in victory over sin and death (Romans 10:9-10), I invite you to pray with me.

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

This prayer is not some magical prayer but must be a genuine expression of your heart. If that is why you prayed, rest assured, your sins are completely forgiven, and you have eternal life. I now encourage you to let someone know of your decision. I also urge you to find a church of truth that teaches from the Bible and is empowered by the Holy Spirit, so you can grow in your faith. May God convict, challenge, and bless everyone reading this post.