Today we see the conclusion of my communion time with the Holy Spirit on walking being full of the Holy Spirit in the life of Barnabas to the sad point where he begins to walk in his own wisdom and counsel. It is startling to see how someone so prominent and influential in the Spirit is reduced to nothingness as he walks in his own strength. I pray that this reality of events will correct you and cause you never to lose your connection with the Holy Spirit but to pursue it wholeheartedly with all diligence.

From Acts.15:36 onwards you notice a shift of influence from the Holy Spirit to the flesh in the life of Barnabas which explains the reason why I always say clearly when it is the Holy Spirit speaking through me and not my own words.

There is a big difference between Emile’s voice and the voice of the Holy Spirit. From verse 36-40 it reads these words: 36 Then after some days Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us now go back and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they are doing.” 37 Now Barnabas was determined to take with them John called Mark. 38 But Paul insisted that they should not take with them the one who had departed from them in Pamphylia, and had not gone with them to the work. 39 Then the contention became so sharp that they parted from one another. And so Barnabas took Mark and sailed to Cyprus; 40 but Paul chose Silas and departed, being commended by the brethren to the grace of God.

Now from this time on we begin to see the man Barnabas not under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit but his own spirit or natural thinking. Well the difference in results is stark because he goes on to choose family over the will of God even after Paul explains why not to take Mark because he would negate the impact of the word they were preaching.

Barnabas is stubborn of heart and refuses to heed the correction to change his mind and chooses his nephew over the voice of the Holy Spirit. Unfortunately you will find out that from that moment Barnabas exits from the book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit because he no longer obeyed the voice of the Spirit but his opinion. A very costly mistake.

The Apostle Paul on the other hand goes on to accomplish the will of the Holy Spirit and mentions in his letter to the Galatians this weakness Barnabas had in Galatians.2:13: And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

Paul had expected Barnabas not to have sided with Peter because he had been with Paul dealing with Gentiles and knew that God had accepted them by pouring out His Spirit on them as He did the Apostles in Acts.2. The evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit was clearly visible through the numerous miracles God had performed through their hands on the Gentiles.

It was startling to Paul why suddenly Barnabas was now acting as if he didn’t fellowship with Gentiles. Well even the Apostle Peter who Paul also challenged openly for denying the truth at the close of his letter speaks about Paul’s revelation as God speaking though the things spoken through him were hard to swallow although they were Holy Spirit breathed.

In 2 Peter.3:14-16 it reads these words: Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless; 15 and consider that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation—as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. Paul was speaking by the Holy Spirit and we need to obey His words above any other voice, fear or opinion because they were from the Holy Spirit.

We need to repent when we listen to another alternative voice as Barnabas did and it cost him his place in the Kingdom, otherwise we will lose out on the will of God for our lives as he did. Mark on the other hand for whom Barnabas made the choice Paul tells us in Colossians.4:10-11 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me and goes on to become an ally of Paul and supports him because he stood for truth. Always stay with the Holy Spirit of truth because He never fails.

In sharing these truths with you today I pray that the Holy Spirit will open up your eyes to where you missed Him but had not repented. Then make the necessary turn to get back in sync with the rhythm of the Holy Spirit. Quickly come back to the place you ought to be walking in the Spirit by accomplishing the marvels and ancient plans God has for you.

The same God who spoke to separate Paul and Barnabas to the work He called them to do did not call them to separate from one another, but Paul chose the higher purpose which the Holy Spirit worked with Him to accomplish his part of the assignment.

May you also today find yourself back in the Bullseye of God’s will even if you had missed it, by repenting and surrendering back to the Way of the Holy Spirit. We all have weak moments but the Lord can help us up if we only repent and turn back to Him by allowing the Holy Spirit to lead us back to the plan Jesus has for us. Blessings.