“Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.
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.”
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. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord in the hope that he may forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin
Then Simon answered, “Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Act 8:13,18-24
There are still the likes of Simon the sorcerer in our churches today daily exploiting the church to make personal gain.
They are into every move of God in the church, searching only for the spectacular in every meeting thinking money can get them the gifts of God to use for personal glorification
Unfortunately we don’t have so much of Apostle Peter who quickly and truthfully discerned by the Holy Spirit what was wrong and arrested the situation.
The Simon the sorcerer today is leading some in the church astray by using money to buy leadership positions thereby perverting and commercializing the gospel.
The challenge for us today as true believers is that do we recognize this evil in the midst of God’s people and have grace to stop such wrong move in the church?
It’s not everybody that follows the Evangelist /Pastor everywhere that has the pure motive of serving God.
In the above verses the laying on of hands for the gifts of God were for true believers who will genuinely do the work of God but Simon the sorcerer wanted to lay his own hands on anyone that can pay the right price.
Today the Simon the Sorcerer has gotten the ability and now gives gifts and titles to anyone in the church.
No wonder people are confused with people bearing Christian titles but no manifestation of the true power of God in their lives.
Check the fruits of their lives first don’t just get deceived by the long titles and advertised gifts they claim they can do.
Today be like the true Apostle Peter to discern and put a stop to the sorcerer and sorceress that are now mingling in the church of God.
By the power of the Holy Spirit let us truthfully discern the motives of those around us seeking to have the ability to do the things of God but have no genuine personal relationship with God.
When a believer is true to God he or she will be empowered by the Holy Spirit to manifest HIS gifts for HIS own purpose alone and not for exploitation
