8/29/25

Acts 13:10 NASB95 and said, “You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?

In this verse, Paul is speaking to a Jewish magician whose name is listed as Bar-Jesus, which means son of Jesus in Greek, or son of Joshua or Yahweh in Hebrew. He is also referred to by the name Elymas which is his name translated in Arabic as the wise.

His goal is to deceive others into not relying on faith in God. He had attached himself by friendship and service to the leader of the people so as to have a better influence on all the people, desiring to turn them from faith in God as well.

He had hidden himself well, disguised as Bar-Jesus. He used a false name that claimed to be the son of the Savior. Taken literally in Hebrew, it would be understood as the son of the God who saves. Then, with this self-proclaimed falsehood of a name, he led people astray.

In Arabic, his name meant a wise man. So all his names were meant to instill trust, and his actions were meant to reach as many as possible. However, Paul and Barnabas, being full of the Spirit, had been prayed for and fasted over. They, having been chosen by God and sent by the church of Antioch, were not fooled by the false names and actions of this man.

Paul boldly says to him, "You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness."

Paul reveals the falseness of all His names. You are not wise you are a liar, full of deceit. You are not the son of Yahweh you are a fraud. You are a son of the devil and you are an enemy of God and His righteousness!

Paul reveals his actions go against God as well. He says, "Will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord?"

Jesus warns in Matthew 24:5 NASB95 “For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will mislead many.

Here we see Paul recognizes this taking place. The way he does it is through a relationship with Jesus and a discernment of the Holy Spirit.

Paul is tuned in.

He saw that what Jesus had made straight and simple this man was seeking to make crooked and hard.

Today there are so, as Jesus says in Matthew 24:5 above, MANY who come in His name and they are misleading so MANY.

They are found on the TV, internet, social media, books, and magazines, with the sole purpose of distracting the soul. They are following their father Satan's desire to make crooked the straight way.

If you want to recognize them just like Paul, then spend much time in prayer and reading the word of God.

These Bar-Jesus' are found in many prominent places. Jesus, however, is found in prayer, scripture, and the spirit of the faithful followers of Christ.

Don't be fooled down a crooked road when scriptures says straight away. John 3:16 NASB95 “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.

It really is that straight.

Love Bro. Scott