By Andrew Williams
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. ‘Let me have this power, too,’ he exclaimed, ‘so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!’ But Peter replied, ‘May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive your evil thoughts, for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.’ ‘Pray to the Lord for me,’ Simon exclaimed, ‘that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!’” Acts 8:18-24 (NLT)
Good morning fellow disciples.
This passage provides a sobering lesson about the condition of our hearts when we approach God. Simon the sorcerer, who had believed and been baptized, revealed that his motives for seeking the Holy Spirit were impure. He was fascinated by the power he observed as the apostles laid hands on others, but he misunderstood it as something that could be purchased or controlled for personal gain. Peter’s rebuke was sharp yet necessary—it exposed Simon’s heart problem and called him to repentance.
Peter’s response teaches us that the gifts of God are not commodities to be bought, manipulated, or used for self-promotion. They are given freely by His grace to accomplish His purposes. True discipleship requires a heart that is aligned with God’s will, seeking His glory rather than personal gain. Simon’s reaction to Peter’s correction is also noteworthy. Instead of immediately repenting himself, he asked Peter to pray on his behalf, showing that his focus was still on avoiding consequences rather than truly submitting his heart to God.
Simon’s story is a cautionary tale that empowers us to examine our own hearts. As disciples, we are called to ensure that our motives are pure and that we seek God for who He is, not for what He can do for us. This passage reminds us that discipleship is about surrendering our lives to God, allowing Him to transform our hearts so that our desires align with His. True power comes from the Holy Spirit working in us for God’s glory, not for personal recognition or gain. This requires redirecting our focus from self-centered ambitions to Christ-centered devotion.
Take some time in prayer this week to examine your heart. Ask yourself: Are my motives in serving God pure? Am I seeking His glory, or am I focused on what I can gain from Him? Redirect your focus by surrendering any selfish ambitions to the Lord. If there is an area where you have sought personal gain or recognition, confess it to God and ask for His forgiveness. Additionally, practice humility by encouraging someone else in their faith journey without seeking acknowledgment for yourself.
Prayer: Gracious Father, thank You for the reminder that Your gifts and blessings cannot be earned or purchased—they flow freely from Your grace. I confess that at times my heart has been distracted by selfish motives or desires for recognition. Lord, redirect my focus so that I seek You with a pure heart and serve You for Your glory alone. Transform my thoughts, my desires, and my actions to align with Your will. Help me to be a true disciple who walks humbly, loves sincerely, and honors You in all that I do. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
