“And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”
But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”
Then Simon answered and said, “Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me.”
~ Acts 8: 18- 24
We sometimes feel we have it all together because we have answered the Altar call, only to realize that we have a lot of work to do when it comes to the matters of the heart. Beyond what we see, experience or have in the world , there is more to what life truly is. This has to do with our heart, which is where the issues of life proceeds from. ( Proverbs 4:23)
The heart is a major determinant of what we eventually do or who we become. Life presents various choices before us from time to time but our decisions are a product of our heart. I can choose to panic or rely on God in the midst of the storm, knowing that there is nothing I can do to control it. I can decide to complain or murmur when things do not go the way I want or choose to look out for what God intends to do despite not having things go my way. All these are a product of my understanding of His Word, Power and Person.
The interesting thing about the heart is that we have been saddled with the responsibility to keep it pure and wade off every form of impurity as we constantly look inwards to ensure that it remains in an healthy condition (spiritually and otherwise). The failure to constantly check the state of our heart, thereby assuming that we are in right standing with God is the reason a lot of people will eventually hear from the Master the surprising words of rejection- ” I never knew you…” ( Matthew 7: 21-23)
Sadly, a lot of us pay little or no attention to this vital part of our lives and go about life like it does not really matter. The truth however is that our heart determines how our life goes. Feeding our hearts with corrupt, immoral, ungodly, worldly and all manner of flesh gratifying things will not only disgrace us here on earth but also make us mediocres which hinders us from reigning with our King eternally. Having the right things fill our hearts will on the other hand enable us to excel in all He has called us to do and give us a place in His kingdom. The right things include His Word, His Spirit that searches the heart, purity and uprightness. (Psalm 119:9, Psalm 18:30, Proverbs 2:7-8)
There was a man whose heart condition robbed him of exploit and a name to reckon with as one of the generals of God in the early Church. This man was perceived as an instrument for the furtherance of the Kingdom work in the days of the Apostles of old but was soon discovered to be nothing but a lie. He had come out for the Altar call made by Apostle Philip, even though his record in that city was that which pointed at the fact that he was indeed a vessel in the hands of the devil prior to this time. He was a sorcerer who was so good at the art of sorcery that the people perceived him to be someone great , so much they called him “the great power of God“. The truth however is that he was simply a representative of the devil and performed all manner of deceptive signs by dark powers. This explains the fact that signs do not necessarily point at the fact that God is involved in a thing, after all the magicians in Egypt also performed lying wonders. (Don’t be deceived by the works of darkness, test all spirits!) Acts 8:9- 13, 1 John 4:1, 2 Thessalonians 2:9
Despite his display of power through sorcery, when he came in contact with a greater power revealed in Philip’s preaching about the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus, backed up with signs and wonders, he himself believed and he was baptized like others after which he began to follow Philip. Who would have thought that this man named Simon ( the sorcerer) was actually following him with a heart that was corrupt and not right with God? Thank God for the power of the Holy Spirit that reveals the state of the heart of every man. He was later found to be a deceiver and schemer whose plan was to use the power the disciples were endowed with to make money if he had access to it as he had always done while practicing sorcery. ( Acts 8: 18-19)
Nothing is hidden from God and everything hidden in the dark will eventually come to light. What you intend to do with the gifting and calling of God upon your life will be revealed. Just like Simon the sorcerer, if your intention is to make merchandise of what God gave to you freely, it is only a matter of time, the true state of your heart will be revealed. Also, if you intend to glory in self, get the commendation of men or make a name for yourself through what you profess to be or His assignment for you, be rest assured, time will reveal who you really are. As harsh as this might sound, it points at the need to constantly check the state of our heart to ensure that we are in right standing with God.
Despite Simon the sorcerer’s opportunity to work on his heart and make the necessary changes by repenting of his wickedness and wrong intentions, he chose to saddle someone else with the responsibility of making right his own wrong , just like some of us who are not willing to make sacrifices in the place of seeking God in prayers and in repentance. ( Acts 8: 21-24)
Unlike Simon the sorcerer however, David understood what it means to take responsibility for his actions and he constantly took seriously the state of his heart, little wonder he became “ a man after God’s heart” and a part of the genealogy of the Saviour of the world. ( Psalm 51:10, Matthew 1:1 )
David also revered God and looked beyound the judgement of God and ensured his relationship with God was intact, by constantly seeking God for forgiveness, knowing fully well that life is meaningful if only God was in it with him. For Simon the socerer however, he did not reverence God or desire a relationship with God but simply feared bearing the consequences of his actions. ( Acts 8: 24).
Constantly check the state of your heart to ensure you are doing what is pleasing to your Maker from time to time because the time of revealing is drawing nearer by the day. Your intentions will be revealed and what has been hidden will be exposed by His Spirit. Take heed to the state of your heart.
Shalom.
Author Profile
- Temitope is the founder of thesoulmeal.com, an online platform that she shares with her God-given spiritual family and friends. She is a speaker, teacher and youth counselor. She is passionate about inspiring people to find their identity in Christ. Catch her interviewing inspiring leaders on Tongue of the Learned Podcast
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