The Power of Your Words
Are your words so powerful that they possess physical might?
“Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch, and Saul,” (Acts 13:1-12).
Both Barnabas and Saul were amongst the prophets and teachers of the Church in Antioch.
Here is a great example of corporate or group fasting. The members of the Antioch congregation fasted and prayed together. And while there were ministering and fasting something wonderful happened.
Do you know that the Holy Ghost speaks? You may say that was then, but today He continues to speak to the Church of Jesus Christ.
Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the Work
“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,” (Acts 13:2).
What was the work that the Holy Ghost called Barnabas and Saul to do?
“And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away,” (Acts 13:3).
You may ask, why did they fast, pray, and lay hands on Barnabas and Saul?
Is the Holy Ghost instructing and sending you into Ministry? Allow the Lord God to guide you and you will always please Him and succeed.
Who Sends Them?
“So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus,” (Acts 13:4).
So, the Holy Ghost spoke and commissioned them into the service of God. But how did this happen?
Observe that although the persecution of the Church of Christ by Saul the Persecutor was over, the Christian leaders in the Church were only ministering and teaching to Jews only. They were still ignoring the Gentiles.
“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,” (Acts 13:5).
A sorcerer will always attempt to lead you away from the Lord. That’s his goal. Again, note that the people both Barnabas and Saul are interacting with are all Jewish, even the sorcerer.
I Wish That Politicians Today Would Emulate this Leader
What’s the importance of our introduction to Elymas the Sorcerer or Barjesus?
“And when they had gone through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false prophet, a Jew, whose name was Barjesus,” (Acts 13:6).
I wish that politicians today would emulate this leader, Sergius Paulus. He requested that these two Christian leaders teach him about Jesus Christ.
“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,” (Acts 13:7).
Do you know of any politician requesting Bible Studies on Jesus Christ from a pastor or church?
Additionally, any person, whether he or she is a politician or not, who knowingly and deliberately discourages or prevents or attempts to prevent others from hearing and receiving the Word of God, is demonic. Diabolical!
How they Turn Others From God
“But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith,” (Acts 13:8).
This diversion from the faith that is in God through Jesus Christ could manifest in a variety of ways.
One way this is evident in America, today, is the removal of Bibles from schools and the ban on praying in schools.
Another would be to marry whomever you desire and ignore the guidance of the Lord concerning marriage.
Note that Elyma is currently in a position that Saul once found himself. He’s turning away the deputy from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
The Scripture below reveals two important features concerning Saul. One, he had a change of name. He has been re-born and transformed.
New Features and Capabilities
Two, with his new identity, comes new features and capabilities. Now, he’s replete with the Holy Ghost.
“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him,” (Acts 13:9).
Because he is full of the Holy Ghost , the power of his words is phenomenal. He has the power of heaven behind his words.
Today, many “Christian leaders” desire to publicly demonstrate the power of God, but they are not pregnant with His Holy Ghost. He has never spoken to most of them much less to dominate their lives.
Demonic and anti-Christ behavior or activities have the following traits in common: subtle, mischievous, born of the Devil, enemy of righteousness and their sole goal is to “pervert the right ways of the Lord”.
“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?” (Acts 13:10).
Heaven Supports Your Words
Paul is determined to demonstrate that he has experienced a total transformation through the power of his words. His words no longer represent those from earth but those from a heavenly kingdom.
“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; … he went about seeking some to lead him by the hand
,” (Acts 13:11).Observe also that Paul never interjects himself into the picture. He tells Barjesus that “the Lord” would act. He tells him what the Lord would do and He did it.
Recall, that Paul is a prophet (Acts 13:1). And that the words of a prophet of God will always come true.
One of the functions of signs and wonders and miracles is to promote faith in God in those who witness it. Sergius Paulus believed in Jesus Christ because of this miracle that he saw Paul executed.
Do Miracles Help us to Believe?
“Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord,” (Acts 13:12).
When you believe that you are saved and speak to things, people, objects and they don’t respond you may think, something is wrong.
On the other hand, when you know that you are saved and know the power of your words and you are aware that when you speak everything and everyone obeys. You speak with authority and power. You know that you represent God on earth.
Speak more to your situations and circumstances instead of praying about it. Some things you just don’t pray about.
Did you observe that Paul didn’t pray about the behavior of the sorcerer? He spoke to him. He addressed the problem that he represents. And immediately God responded to him.
Is there anything in your life that you have been praying about, for a long time, and have not been seen any positive changes?
Probably you need to speak directly to the problem, as Paul did, and watch God act on your behalf.
The True Power of Your Words
Your words are so powerful they could destroy or kill. They also possess the power to create and resurrect.
Your words have the power to cause pain or supply healing.
They could do so much harm or so much good that we should be very careful to speak only constructive and life-giving words.
That’s one of the reasons that the ministry of Jesus Christ was so revolutionary, his words possess the power to change the lives of all those who heard him.
How are your words? Do you speak words packed with the dynamite force of the resurrection of Jesus Christ?
Or do you speak words that emit the power of death? As a Christian, speak life only.
