He was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence, who summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. But Elymas the magician (for that is the meaning of his name) opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith.But Saul, who was also called Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, looked intently at him and said, “You son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, full of all deceit and villainy, will you not stop making crooked the straight paths of the Lord? And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and unable to see the sun for a time.” Immediately mist and darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking people to lead him by the hand. Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.
There is a lesson here, a lesson of boldness but also a lesson of obedience. Paul was not off playing the part of a loose cannon, but guided by the Holy Spirit rebuked Elymas without pulling his punches. He was not politically correct.
I need to be likewise, more concerned for the state of a Sergius Paulus' soul than the petty pride of an Elymas. Not to be deliberately offensive but listening and obeying the leading of the Spirit.
Today's readings in the Psalms:
Morning: Psalm 118
Mid-day: 119:145-152
Evening: Psalm 44
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