PSYOPS in the Book of Acts

We’re Covered

John 17:15 “I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.”

As we enter our study on the work of devilish “psyops” in the Book of Acts, we should remember that as disciples we are protected by Jesus’ prayers as we minister to this world.

We are left living and working in a corrupt and fallen world. Just before Jesus’ arrest He gave us this confident prayer. Not that He was taking us immediately out of this world, but that The Father would keep us. We are in enemy territory for a reason and Jesus was making sure we would be protected as we continue the work of saving souls.

Satan is not pleased that we are effective in snatching souls from the depth of his dominion. His fight is not with the world, that is his kingdom. His fight is with those that side with Christ. And he is determined to thwart any progress in our work of building Christ’s church.

As we study the progress of the gospel in the Book of Acts we see Satan again and again try to disqualify the message and the messengers. We may be in the world, but we are not of the world. There ought to be a visible difference and that is what the focus of Satan’s attack is on.

As we work behind enemy lines let us lean hard on the promise that Jesus’ prayer offers. That we, “should be kept from the evil one”.

Satan is only mentioned four times in Acts directly affecting the church (Acts 5:3; 10:38; 13:10; 26:18)

Ananias and Sapphira

Acts 5:1–11

Acts 5:1–3 “1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?”

The story of Acts is real and describes true events in the early church. Specifically the incredible growth and fervent service rendered by the early christians. We owe a lot to their sacrifice and obedience.

It is not a story of works vs grace, but contrasts the self righteous with the testimony of people like Barnabas.

It illustrates the point that though Satan was defeated at the cross in the area of salvation and the finished work, he still is the “god” of this world and is in an all out war with the saints.

One can ask, “Why was this a sin? It was there money to begin with.” The Greek for “kept back” the money is νοσφίζω nosphizo it means to put something aside for oneself. The only other use in the N.T. is found in Titus 2:10 where it is translated ‘pilfering’, it carries the connotation of swindling or defrauding. Quite simply Ananias and his wife’s sin was greed and were hypocrisy. (see Luke 12:13-21 parable of rich fool)

What does it mean, “Satan filled their hearts”? Is is comparable to being filled with the Holy Spirit? I think Satan through a devilish “psyop” filled their desire not their being. Even christians can and do get deceived and filled with greed and hypocrisy. People often forget the mission and put self interest above God’s. They sacrifice the eternal on the altar of the temporal. God in this instance used them as examples to the seriousness of putting self and self-interest above humility and grace in serving the church. Since they were believers this would be an example of a sin unto physical death (1 John 5:16).

Devil Oppression Leads to Healings and Joy

Jesus made a point to relieve those who were oppressed with demons. (Acts 10:38) oppression is a form of someone having power over us.

καταδυναστεύω - oppress, exploit, dominate (under the power of)

Acts 8:5-8 “5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. 6 And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with a loud voice, came out of many who were possessed; and many who were paralyzed and lame were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.” possessed here is the word ἔχω echo the demons “had” many.

Before Philip met with the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:26-40, he had a very fruitful ministry first as a deacon and then in Acts 6:7 “Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

We see Philip here preaching among the gentiles in Samaria. The thing to notice here is that they heeded the message and signs. Just like we saw with Jesus in the gospels, the demons hated the Word of God and started crying out with a loud voice. Speaking truth is a powerful weapon in battling devilish “psyops”. Freedom and healing is the results.

“And there was great joy in that city”. Imagine the spiritual power when a whole city comes out and heeds the Word of God. We need to pray through the fog of Satanic lies and deception and preach Christ. That is the path of victory and great joy.

Perverting the Straight ways

Acts 13:10 “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?”

Take from a narrow path and encourage to exit to a broad path.

Acts 13 finds Paul in Cyprus on his first missionary journey. There he meets a Jewish false prophet/sorcerer named Bar-Jesus or Elymas. He is calling himself the son-of-Jesus, but he is the son of the devil. His mission was to influence the local political leader proconsul, Sergius Paulus to turn him away from the faith.

Paul’s response to this evil man is a good illustration of effective warfare:

Acts 13:9 Paul was filled with the Spirit

Paul looked him straight in the eye. He did not show any fear.

Acts 13:10 Paul challenged Elymas’ lies “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?”

Paul accused him of perverting the straight ways of the Lord.

Acts 13:11 Paul proclaimed that God would make him blind for a punishment.

The end result of Pauls ministering we see in Acts 13:12 “Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

We need boldness to pray Satanic PSYOPS out from controlling our nation.

Proverbs 14:34 “Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.”

Blinds eyes

ἐξαιρέω exaireō deliver; rescue

1. Deliverance by opening their eyes.

Acts 26:17–18 “17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’”

(turn here is not repentance but ἐπιστρέφω epistrepho - to change one’s mind or course of action - a change of mind not a repentance from sin)

2. Delivered “in Egypt”

Acts 7:9–10 ““And the patriarchs, becoming envious, sold Joseph into Egypt. But God was with him and delivered him out of all his troubles, and gave him favor and wisdom in the presence of Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house.”

3. Delivered “from ‘Egypt’”

Galatians 1:4 “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,”