Boldness By The Spirit

SCRIPTURE
Acts 13:8-11 (Amplified Bible)
Amplified Bible (AMP)

8But Elymas [a]the wise man--for that is the translation of his name [[b]which he had given himself]--opposed them, seeking to keep the proconsul from accepting the faith.

9But Saul, who is also called Paul, filled with and controlled by the Holy Spirit, looked steadily at [Elymas]

10And 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?(A)

11And 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.


OBSERVATION
Barnabas and Saul/Paul were sent out by the Holy Spirit to preach the Word of God. After preaching in the Synagogues, they set out again and came into contact with a wise man (or sorcerer depending on the translation) in Paphos. Barnabas and Saul/Paul were about to share the Word of God with the Procouncil but were met with opposition by this "Wise Man", Elymas, who tried to keep the Procouncil from believing. Saul/Paul, because he was full of and being lead by the Holy Spirit, was able to deal with the opposition of Elymas and the works of the enemy.


APPLICATION
When you're full of (and lead by) the Holy Spirit and "In Tune" with the Heavenly Father, there's nothing that the enemy can throw in your way that you can't handle. The Holy Spirit flowing through you will give you a boldness to confront the enemy face to face, and the ability to discern what you're fighting against!

Ephesians 6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

PRAYER
God, I pray that you would help me to be "In Tune" with you. I want to be lead by the Holy Spirit and to be able to better discern what truly lies behind the battles that I face. Father, give me the boldness that it takes to confront the enemy and help me to be the willing vessel that I need to be in order for the Holy Spirit to lead me, and better flow through me.