In the account of deception, a striking example is found in the story of Elymas the Sorcerer, who exemplifies the craft of intentional deceit inspired by satanic influence. Elymas stood as an obstacle to faith, positioned to prevent a person from embracing the truth. This instance reveals how deception can manifest both within and outside the church, driven by the adversary's schemes to mislead and distort the path to righteousness. Elymas, under the influence of satanic forces, sought to keep others from the faith, embodying the destructive craftsmanship of deceit that mixes truth with error to ensnare the unwary.

In the journey through Cyprus, as recorded in Acts 13, Paul and Barnabas arrived at Paphos, where they encountered Sergius Paulus, the proconsul, and Elymas, a sorcerer attached to his retinue. Despite Elymas being part of the proconsul's circle, Sergius Paulus, described as an intelligent man, was not deceived by the sorcerer's false pretensions. It appears that Elymas was perhaps kept around for entertainment or other trivial reasons, yet the proconsul's discernment allowed him to see through the deception. When Paul and Barnabas preached, Elymas opposed them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, rebuked Elymas, calling him a child of the devil and an enemy of righteousness, and pronounced a temporary blindness upon him as a sign of God's power. This act astonished Sergius Paulus, leading him to believe in the message delivered by Paul and Barnabas, showcasing the triumph of truth over deceit in their mission to spread the gospel.

In the account of Elymas the Sorcerer, as recorded in Acts 13, we see a clear example of spiritual discernment through the Holy Spirit. Elymas, a pretender among many who sought to deceive, was confronted by the apostle Paul, who possessed the gift of discerning spirits. This gift, given by God, enabled Paul to judge whether one who claimed to prophesy or perform miracles did so by the power of the Spirit or by a false spirit. Through this divine insight, Paul distinguished Elymas as being moved by a false spirit, revealing his true nature and preventing deception among the faithful. This discerning of spirits, a judicial estimation through judgment, was crucial in protecting the church from false ministers and remains a vital gift for those who seek to uphold the truth of God's Spirit over the counterfeit influences of evil or unaided human claims.