Discerning Light From Darkness! Conclusion

In Acts 13 we read about the beginning of Paul’s missionary ministry. The leading and anointing of the Holy Ghost was an integral part of Paul’s ministry and gave him the advantage of discerning Light from Darkness. Acts 13:2, “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away. 4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.” Notice that it was the Holy Ghost that made the selection and the Holy Ghost that gave the assignment. We must lay our plans aside and petition God to make us part of His Plan.

They preached the Word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. A certain deputy of the country called for Paul and Barnabas desiring to hear the Word of God. A certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus opposed them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith. Acts 13:9, “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.” The reality of this passage is that those who oppose Jesus Christ really do walk in darkness. The decree of the Holy Ghost brought to fruition the physical reality that the sorcerer was truly walking in spiritual darkness.

The Holy Spirit discerned the “darkness” and called it out. In the power of the Spirit, the darkness was defined and confined. There is no further mention of Bar-jesus in the Bible. 

The lesson to be learned here is that the judgment of God is sure and final. This was God’s Plan! The Holy Ghost did the choosing and gave the assignment. Therefore, Paul’s mission was under the mantel of Christ and without limitation. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must walk in the Light as the Holy Ghost leads and move in the anointing of His assignment. He will discern the Darkness, Define, and Confine. By the power of the Spirit, the power of darkness will be revealed and deposed! By The Holy Ghost, we will Discern Light From Darkness!