Jealousy and the improper use of money have derailed the faith of many people, leaders, and followers alike. Only confession and repentance can break the influence of these sins. Without confession and repentance, people will move deeper into their sin without the presence of a loving and, at times, strong challenge.
When Philip was preaching in Samaria, “Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So, there was great joy in that city”(Acts 8:6-8).
Present in the audience was a man named Simon. “Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as ‘the Great One—the Power of God.’They listened closely to him because, for a long time, he had astounded them with his magic”(vs.9-11).
The problem was, Simon did not know the Lord. He was performing his signs and magic by another spirit, not by the Spirit of the Lord.
The message of the Gospel finally got through to Simon: “Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed”(vs. 13).
When Peter and John heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they came to support the Lord’s work. When they arrived, “Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit”(vs.17). Simon was among the new believers who were being prayed for by Peter and John.
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power”(vs. 18). Simon brought to his faith some old issues still in need of redemption.
Peter confronted Simon, “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”(vs. 20-21). Peter then told Simon to repent of his sin, thinking God’s gifts could be bought.
Peter’s rebuke cut through Simon’s sin. Simon begged Peter, “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!”(vs. 24).
What is evident in Simon’s transformation is the effect of truth being spoken by Peter that confronted Simon’s sin. This confrontation is missing today in some parts of the Church where people are openly living in sin, thinking it is acceptable. This happens because there is no teaching on the subject of what offends God. Peter wasn’t concerned about hurting Simon’s feelings. He also didn’t worry about any fallout that would come from his challenge to Simon among the other believers.
To confront sin is an act of love. Without such confrontation, people will be led down a path of delusion, being confused about what is God and what was coming from another spirit. We can only imagine what would have happened to Simon and to the rest of the new believers who had considered Simon “the Great One—the Power of God”, without a challenge to that deception. Jealousy and the improper use of money have derailed the faith of many people, leaders, and followers alike. Only confession and repentance can break the influence of these sins. Without confession and repentance, people will move deeper into their sin without the presence of a loving and, at times, strong challenge.
When Philip was preaching in Samaria, “Crowds listened intently to Philip because they were eager to hear his message and see the miraculous signs he did. Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. So, there was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:6-8).
Present in the audience was a man named Simon. “Simon had been a sorcerer there for many years, amazing the people of Samaria and claiming to be someone great. Everyone, from the least to the greatest, often spoke of him as ‘the Great One—the Power of God.’ They listened closely to him because, for a long time, he had astounded them with his magic” (vs.9-11).
The problem was, Simon did not know the Lord. He was performing his signs and magic by another spirit, not by the Spirit of the Lord.
The message of the Gospel finally got through to Simon: “Then Simon himself believed and was baptized. He began following Philip wherever he went, and he was amazed by the signs and great miracles Philip performed” (vs. 13).
When Peter and John heard that the people of Samaria had accepted God’s message, they came to support the Lord’s work. When they arrived, “Peter and John laid their hands upon these believers, and they received the Holy Spirit” (vs.17). Simon was among the new believers who were being prayed for by Peter and John.
“When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power” (vs. 18). Simon brought to his faith some old issues still in need of redemption.
Peter confronted Simon, “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” (vs. 20-21). Peter then told Simon to repent of his sin, thinking God’s gifts could be bought.
Peter’s rebuke cut through Simon’s sin. Simon begged Peter, “Pray to the Lord for me,” Simon exclaimed, “that these terrible things you’ve said won’t happen to me!” (vs. 24).
What is evident in Simon’s transformation is the effect of truth being spoken by Peter that confronted Simon’s sin. This confrontation is missing today in some parts of the Church where people are openly living in sin, thinking it is acceptable. This happens because there is no teaching on the subject of what offends God. Peter wasn’t concerned about hurting Simon’s feelings. He also didn’t worry about any fallout that would come from his challenge to Simon among the other believers.
To confront sin is an act of love. Without such confrontation, people will be led down a path of delusion, being confused about what is God and what is coming from another spirit. We can only imagine what would have happened to Simon and to the rest of the new believers who had considered Simon “the Great One—the Power of God”, without a challenge to that deception.
This need for confrontation applies to those who fill our sanctuaries as well as those who lead our churches. Without these challenges, we will become confused and make choices that do not align with God’s heart and end up following leaders who have not dealt with their sins and who are leading their followers into deeper forms of delusion.
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on Garris Elkins
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