BEWARE OF FALSE PROPHETS
AND FALSE MESSIAHS!
Now when they had gone through the island to Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, an intelligent man. This man called for Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the sorcerer (for so his name is translated) withstood them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Then Saul, who also is called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “O full of all deceit and all fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease perverting the straight ways of the Lord? – Acts 13:6-10 NKJV
Bar-Jesus was a false prophet—a witch, sorcerer, soothsayer, or diviner. We’re talking about a python spirit. Just like witches and warlocks hiding within the church today, this fake is an expert at invoking the name of Jesus. He even named himself “son of Jesus”! That’s what those operating in the Python Spirit do. They talk about Jesus, even pray in His name, but they have no relationship with the true Son of God. They have appointed themselves as prophet and go about controlling others, wrecking lives, marriages, ministries and churches through lies and false prophecies. How?
They get close to leadership. Look at Bar-Jesus. He had attached himself to a very influential government official and enjoyed influence at a high level within the nation. Those men and women practicing witchcraft within the Church are looking for the same influence. You know them. They climb the prophetic ladder into places of authority by smooth talk and flattery. They use their conned connections to gain power. Once they seize the ear of a leader, they don’t let go!
In this account from the book of Acts, Bar-Jesus is trying to keep his grip of influence tightly wound around Sergius Paulus. He can’t have his meal ticket hearing about the real Jesus from a true prophet and man of God.
Filled with discernment, Paul sees right through this charlatan. This apostle has seen the Savior face to face. He’s filled with the Holy Spirit and he’s not going to be deceived. He calls this sorcerer out. He looked at Elymas. Then Saul said, “You false preacher and troublemaker! You son of the devil! You hate what is right! Will you always be turning people from the right ways of the Lord? And now look!
The hand of the Lord is on you. You will become blind.”
An enemy exposed is an enemy defeated. Paul not only exposed this warlock, but he also gave a prophetic picture of what following this false preacher would cost. Just as Bar-Jesus wandered around in the dark, so would anyone who believed his lying words.
Guys, we have to be filled with discernment in these darkening days and use our voice to speak Truth and ban those dark spirits.
Declaration: Jesus breathed His Holy Spirit in me and gave me power and authority to speak to cast off anything that is not of God. I walk in the joy of the Lord, trusting Him to help me discern anything around me that He wants me to trample on. My home, my life, all my belongs, my finances and my family and friends are covered in the blood of Jesus, the One who saved me, and we are His.
From My Book: Shattering Spiritual Strongholds: Python Spirit
