Standing up for Christ

Stand up, Stand up for Jesus!

We sing this song, but are we truly prepared to stand even when it is clear that we are standing against the power of Satan himself?

Paul and Barnabas were prepared and stood. They were good Baptist preachers, if it was there they were agin it! Not really, but they took their stand against wickedness in high places.

Acts 13:4–12 KJV 1900

4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister. 6 And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 7 Which was with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 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? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.

Do not seek conflict

Do not seek it, but do not avoid it.

If you have no enemies, you have no character. Taking a stand always creates opposition.

When you give the truth, some will be offended by it. That does not mean that you should back down.

Acts 13:5 KJV 1900

5 And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.

Be filled with the Spirit

Acts 13:9 KJV 1900

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,

This means walking in the Holy Spirit’s power every day. We do not know when opposition will come!

Ephesians 4:22–24 KJV 1900

22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

As much as Elymas was a representative of Satan and antichrist, we are ambassadors for Christ.

Recognize Satan’s influence

We wrestle not against flesh and blood.

Acts 13:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 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?

This description of Elymas sounds so much like the descriptions in the Bible about Satan. He was heavily influenced by demonic power.

John 8:44 KJV 1900

44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Genesis 3:1 KJV 1900

1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

Paul called him a Son of the Devil, just as we are the sons of God.

1 Peter 5:8 KJV 1900

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

2 John 7 KJV 1900

7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

The Bible talks about the wiles of the Devil, the condemnation (accusations) of the Devil, and the snare of the Devil.

Let God do the hard work

Acts 13:11 KJV 1900

11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season. And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand.

James 4:7 KJV 1900

7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Ephesians 4:26–27 KJV 1900

26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.