A Heart That Is Not Right

FROM: AUGUST 1 @ 7, 2017

TOPIC: “A Heart That Is Not Right” Acts 8:4-6 "Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went. Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Christ there. When the crowds heard Philip, and saw the miraculous signs he did, they all paid close attention to what he said." God was with Philip. Philip told the people the story of Jesus, the message of God's love revealed in Jesus Christ. And there was also healing, for Philip made many signs (Acts 8:7-8) "With shrieks, evil spirits came out of many, and many paralytics and cripples were healed. So, there was great joy in that city."). He brought the joy that the Samaritans had never experienced. What a fuss and joy! There was a great feast! Something good happened; the atmosphere was one of freedom and much good. However, we will see that the devil wanted to have a place in all that. At the feast of new lives and many miracles in Samaria was Simon, the magician, enjoying himself, accommodating himself and taking a place that did not belong to him (Acts 8:9 "Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great."). And that Simon believed. The faith of this man and his confession of it in baptism arose from his understanding that a power greater than his own operated through the words and work of Philip (Acts 8:13 "Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw."). His profession of faith was false (Acts 8:20-21 "Peter answered: May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money. You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God."). Simon never thought to surrender his will to the Lord. He was badly ambitious, not realizing what he was getting himself into. Simon was always together with Philip, that is, he did not leave him at any time. Philip had him as a genuine believer, trusted him, while Simon sought his own interest. Not all disciples had the gift of "discerning spirits" as we see in Peter and Paul. It so happened that the Holy Spirit had not yet descended upon the new believers there in Samaria, and for such purpose they sent the apostles Peter and John (Acts 8:14 "they sent Peter and John there..."). Peter and John brought to them the fullness of the Holy Spirit through the imposition of hands (Acts 8:17 "Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit."). But, it was necessary to define who was truly going to surrender his will to the Lord. They all say they believe. And it is clear that it is necessary to discern the spirits to not be dominated by deception. There was Simon with a thirst to be great and who confuses the holy for his impurities. The Holy Spirit was delayed until Peter and John arrived and it would be by the imposition of hands that the Samaritans who had believed with Philip would receive it. But, the apostles quickly discovered and discarded Simon the wizard. Simon makes Peter and John a proposal to give them money when seeing that by the imposition of hands came the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:18, 19 "When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said; Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit."). For him that was a more elevated magic than his own. He had the ambition to possess the honor and power of an apostle. And he dared to ask Peter to sell him the

Holy Spirit; he thought the apostles were mercenaries like him. He thought of the profit in magic, he thought he could have what they had. He thought that by not letting go of Philip he was already one of them, but with such great and bad ambitions. Peter with his discernment saw what was in him. He discovered Simon's crime; and there was no consideration of such blasphemy (Acts 8:22, 23) "Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.") Simon wanted to buy salvation, forgiveness, the gift of the Spirit and eternal life with money. He thought that the power of an apostle could be obtained through the payment of fees. Peter discovers it: "...your heart is not right before God." (Vs. 20, 21) We are what our heart is. If the heart is crooked, one cannot be straight! God penetrates to the depths of the heart and through him we are judged. Our supreme interest must be in being approved before God, otherwise, we are deceiving ourselves for our own ruin. Peter says in Vs. 23: "For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." This is speaking clearly, and there is no choice but to speak thus when it's about the good of the souls and the eternity. For Simon the sentence came from Peter in Vs. 20: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money." Out goes the money with you! Nothing should be wanted with that type of person. A person who has so grossly despised the Holy Spirit cannot have part in the spiritual blessing. That person has nothing to do with the gifts of the Spirit; his heart is not right! Simon then asked for prayer (Acts 8:24 "Then Simon answered, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.") He did not dare to pray, he knew that his fault was grave and that the Lord would not respond. He wanted to be delivered from the threat of the punishment he would receive. We see that Simon the magician obtained what he sought. Let us take care of our heart from the ambitions like those of this unscrupulous man. Let us be clean and sane, WITH A RIGHTEOUS HEART! Amen.