Rhapsody of Realities 20 May 2026: Cut Off Satanic Influences
SCRIPTURE: And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus (Acts 13:6).
Acts 13 gives us a clear picture of how Satan tries to resist the Gospel, especially when it’s about to reach those in positions of leadership. An example is seen in Acts 13:6 when Saul (Paul) and Barnabas went through the Isle of Paphos, preaching the Gospel. The proconsul, Sergius Paulus, whom the Bible describes as “a prudent man,” desired to hear the Word of God and sent for Barnabas and Saul (Acts 13:7). He wanted to know more about Jesus Christ.
But there was someone closely associated with him who wouldn’t let that happen; Acts 13:6-8 the Amplified Classic version reveals it: “When they had passed through the entire island of Cyprus as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain Jewish wizard or sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus. He was closely associated with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent and sensible man of sound understanding; he summoned to him Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the Word of God [concerning salvation in the kingdom of God attained through Christ]. But Elymas the wise man–for that is the translation of his name [which he had given himself]–opposed them, seeking to keep the proconsul from accepting the faith.” He resisted and tried to stop the leader from receiving the Word.
Then the Bible says, “…Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, and said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil, thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord” (Acts 13:9-10)? Paul wasn’t speaking by suspicion or emotion; he spoke by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. He called him who he truly was: a child of the devil, an enemy of all righteousness.
Many world leaders have such people around them who distract them from the truth and keep them from hearing the Word of God. This is why we take our stand in prayer to cut off such influences from the leaders of nations. Every so often, in praying for the leaders of nations, governments and institutions of this world, declare that the counsels of the “Elymases” of this world are frustrated and silenced; cut off their influence from the leaders. Pray that all around the world, the hearts of presidents, kings, governors, lawmakers, and decision-makers are open to hear and receive the Word of God and the Gospel is producing results in their lives.
Pray also that the Spirit grants them discernment to recognise deception, and that righteous influences surround them, creating access for the Gospel to be preached, received freely, and spread rapidly all around the world. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION
The Word of God prevails in the hearts of leaders and decision makers across the nations today. Every satanic influence to resist the Gospel and turn them away from the truth is cut off by the power of the Holy Spirit. God’s wisdom and righteousness dominate the nations, and His truth is established without resistance, in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
READ OTHER ESOCS DEVOTIONAL HERE
FURTHER STUDY
1 Timothy 2:1-4
2 First of all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men,
2 For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way.
3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior,
4 Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.
Acts 13:6-12
6 When they had passed through the entire island of Cyprus as far as Paphos, they came upon a certain Jewish wizard or sorcerer, a false prophet named Bar-Jesus.
7 He was closely associated with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent and sensible man of sound understanding; he summoned to him Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the Word of God [concerning salvation in the kingdom of God attained through Christ].
8 But Elymas the wise man—for that is the translation of his name [which he had given himself]—opposed them, seeking to keep the proconsul from accepting the faith.
9 But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, looked steadily at [Elymas]
10 And said, You master in every form of deception and recklessness, unscrupulousness, and wickedness, you son of the devil, you enemy of everything that is upright and good, will you never stop perverting and making crooked the straight paths of the Lord and plotting against His saving purposes?
11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind, [so blind that you will be] unable to see the sun for a time. Instantly there fell upon him a mist and a darkness, and he groped about seeking persons who would lead him by the hand.
12 Then the proconsul believed (became a Christian) when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished and deeply touched at the teaching concerning the Lord and from Him.
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
John 9:1-41; 2 Kings 4-5
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN
1 Corinthians 11:1-11; Proverbs 16
Rhapsody of Realities 20 May 2026
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