Daily Devotional Acts 13:9-12 – How can I fight the enemy? – Free online Bible Study – Commentary in easy English – Day 561

Then Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked straight at Elymas and said, “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? 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. When the proconsul saw what had happened, he believed for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord. (Acts 13:9-12)

Prayer, of course, is the primary way to connect to God. Creating is also an excellent way. Above my fireplace, a Thomas Kinkade painting captures the beauty of a cabin in the woods with a stream running past. Thomas Kinkade connected to God while he was painting, and his goal was to spread God’s light.

I believe the peaceful, creative, almost euphoric feeling we have when we’re crafting an artform is a connection to the Holy Spirit. Satan doesn’t want us to connect to God, so he attacks artists: sculptors, painters, musicians, writers, seamstresses, knitters, crocheters, and crafters. Many times a day the enemy tells artists they have no talent. It’s the reason so many have alcohol and drug addictions and commit suicide. Thomas Kinkade was clearly talented and had a wife and four children, yet he committed suicide in 2012.

In our Scripture, Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, wanted to connect to God. Elymas was sent by the enemy to discourage Sergius Paulus from seeking God. In the same way if we’re seeking God or in the mission field helping another find Him, the enemy will show up. God wants us to fight the enemy.

If you reread the words Paul spoke to Elymas through the Holy Spirit, he speaks to the enemy within Elymas. God loves the Elymas he created and only blinded him so he would seek the One who wants to lead him by the hand.

God has a message for us in Paul’s and Barnabus’ mission trip to Cyprus. He will send us out too. When he does, he wants us to know we should pray and fast, ask for prayer and support, accept the mission, start when God tells us to, use the power of the Holy Spirit to help us with obstacles and challenges, and fight the enemy with prayer, words, the power of the Holy Spirit, and truth. When we do that, others will be amazed and believe.

Father, I praise You for giving me a creative spirit to connect with You. Help me use it for Your kingdom. When the enemy tells me I’m not talented or good enough, give me the power of Your Holy Spirit to fight back and tell the enemy he’s full of deceit and trickery. I am what You say I am: talented, loved, forgiven, pursued, valuable, special, God’s temple, chosen, wonderful, wanted, and beautiful. In God’s name, I pray, amen.

Daily Devotional Acts 13:9-12 – How can I fight the enemy? – Free online Bible Study – Commentary in easy English – Day 561

4 thoughts on “Daily Devotional Acts 13:9-12 – How can I fight the enemy? – Free online Bible Study – Commentary in easy English – Day 561

  1. Since we have moved into our house the main way I have fought against the enemy is with prayer. I ask God to get rid of the enemy and I know God will take care of it. I had no idea that Thomas Kinkaid committed suicide. That is really sad. He was so talented. He certainly had a beautiful God given talent. When I do crafting it is peaceful. My hands have stopped me from what I would like to do. When I was working, time was my enemy and it would cause frustration. I am not sure the enemy had anything to do with the frustration I experienced due to time constraints. I think a lot of people must feel peace and joy when they are doing anything that they enjoy.

    1. I always pray for you to heal but for some reason I have focused more on your cancer than your carpal tunnel. I’m sorry, and I will start to pray more for that. I had time constraints this week and didn’t think I would finish my writing submission for my writing critique group. I remembered to pray. Amazingly, Sam was required to work late to get a search warrant, and I was able to concentrate fully on my writing, and I finished just before he came home. I never got frustrated though and trusted God. I don’t always remember to pray though, and I think the enemy distracts us so we don’t remember. So in that way, I feel the enemy is responsible for frustration.

  2. Thank you for praying for me! I am praying to heal from this last surgery and for the cancer to stay away. I haven’t really prayed about my carpal tunnel and I should because it stops me from doing what I enjoy doing. I pray for you too. I pray about your cancer and I pray about your bones. Osteoporosis is so hard on your body and your bones need to get stronger. I love you, Sis!!

    1. I am also praying for you to quit smoking. I appreciate your prayers and encouragement so much! Keep praying for your carpal tunnel because God wants you to do the things you enjoy. That’s why he gave you talent in those areas. I love you too, blessings.

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