How would you recognise a wolf in sheep’s clothing? It might look like a sheep, but wouldn’t its animal sounds, and its behaviour, quickly give it away?
Let us hear how a person, who disguised himself as a Christian, proved himself false by what he said and did.
Among the many new believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in Samaria was a man called Simon. He had been a magician, and had gone around claiming to be someone great, astounding the Samaritans with his magic. (Acts 8:9-11)
Then, Simon appeared to be a changed man, until something happened one day.
The apostles sent Peter and John up from Jerusalem, to show these Samaritans their friend¬ship and their acceptance, by placing their hands on them. But something else happened at that same moment; God showed His acceptance of those Samaritans by giving them His Holy Spirit. (Acts 8:17.)
Simon, the magician, had never seen anything like this before! He obviously thought the Holy Spirit had been given by some power or magic of the apostles, when they had placed their hands on them. Was this some sacred power of orders that he could have passed on to him also? In his greed for such power, he offered to pay Peter and John! Would they sell him the “secrets” of this sacred power?
But Peter answered him, “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of GOD with money!” (verse 20.)
For anyone to think that they could somehow have, transferred to them, the power to control God’s Holy Spirit, is a terrible insult to God, and to His Gospel.
Jesus had promised that HE would send His Spirit to His true followers, after He would return to Heaven. (John 16:7. 14:15-27.) It is NOT an apostle, or a magician you need! Through faith in Jesus as you Saviour, you are guaranteed the GIFT of God’s Spirit into your life. (2ndCorinthians 1:20-22. 1stCorinthians 6:19-20. Romans 8:9-17.)
Simon would have to forever turn from his sinful thoughts and ways, because magic won’t do. No formula, or power, or ability of men will ever order or control the Spirit of God! Simon may have looked like a Christian, and even been baptized as one, but his words and deeds show us that his heart was not right in God’s sight. (verse 21.) He was still a miserable “prisoner of sin”. Peter urged him to “Repent” - to change his thinking completely about how the Holy Spirit of God was given to people.
God’s Spirit is the free gift of God given by God Himself to those who trust in His Son, Jesus Christ, as their only Priest and Saviour. (Romans 5:1-5. Ephesians 1:13-14.)
Don’t make Simon’s mistake of thinking that man can obtain the ability to control the Spirit of God! Receive the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit from God, when you trust Jesus as your Saviour and Lord? (Acts 5:29-32.)
Read Acts Chapter 8, verses 14-25.
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