Perhaps the first thing that came to your mind as you read the title
of today's devotion was the game you played as a child. "Simon Says" is
basically a game where the person playing Simon tries to trick his audience
into following his movements through deception. After reading our main
text below, one could not help but believe this game has its roots in
the Word of God... The question is though, have you been falling prey
to what "Simon" says??
Acts 8:9-10
But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same
city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that
himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least
to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
Scripture tells us that Simon paraded himself around as some great one.
By his clever, yet deceptive movements, this sorcerer bewitched nearly
everyone he came in contact with. There was hardly a person who had not
fallen prey to his influence, and so bewitching was he, the Bible says
they all claimed his power was of God.
Now I don't know about you ladies, but that scares me! Why? Because not
only the least, but even the greatest person had given heed to this man's
seducing spirit. Yes, a sorcerer is able to greatly sway even the wisest
member of society... A sorcerer is defined as an enchanter or a conjurer.
An enchanter is one who has the ability to fascinate, to charm, or to
delight highly. The spirit of such an individual subdues those around
them and literally casts a spell upon their listening audience. A conjurer
is an imposter who pretends to perform extraordinary acts; one who expels,
drives, or affects in some manner by invoking the Supreme Being. Ladies,
Simon's sorceries were energized by Satan! Such a shrewd man was Simon,
and I find it no surprise that he chose the same city where the work of
God was being done to perform his tricks...
Verse 11:
And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched
them with sorceries.
Ladies, this man's captivating "show" had gone on for quite some time
in Samaria. It was no short performance that thoroughly held the admiration
of his large following. There were many men and women who regarded him
highly, and Simon had grown accustomed to "casting a spell" upon all those
he came in contact with. He was addicted to enchanting powers. The extraordinary
acts he performed, he did to magnify himself. I think we can safely say
he loved every minute of the reputation he had acquired, amen? Until Philip
began preaching the Word of God and lifting up the name of Christ...
Verse 12:
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom
of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and
women.
**Poof!** Right before Simon's very eyes, the show was over and his audience
had given heed to a more powerful gospel - the gospel of truth! Praise
the Lord for the power of the Word of God!
Hebrews 4:12
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged
sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of
the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents
of the heart.
Thinks had drastically changed.... It wasn't what Simon said that captured
folk's attention any longer - it was what GOD said that they now gave
heed to, thanks to Philip, a faithful servant of the Lord. People became
fascinated with the cross. When Simon's audience came to know Christ as
Savior, his career as a sorcerer had come to an abrupt halt. If you were
as clever a man as Simon, finding yourself in this uncontrollable position,
what would you now do? There's an old expression that goes, "If you can't
beat 'em, join em!", which is precisely what Simon did...
Verse 13:
Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued
with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were
done.
Simon said he believed - but did he??
James 2:19
Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble.
Ladies, devils freely affirm truth, but that does not mean they are governed
by it... They neither love God or obey Him and remain in a damned state.
Simon got baptized, but does that mean he was saved?? Simon continued
with Philip, but does that mean he was a Christian man?? You see, there
is no indication of repentance or confession in this Biblical account
of Simon. Simon didn't say he was a sinner. Simon didn't say he needed
a Savior. Simon was in the habit of impressing upon others with how great
he was, remember? Hence, Simon continued with Philip only to learn the
secret to his performance... The Bible says he wondered at the miracles,
they literally mesmerized him. Sad to say, Simon's faith was in the wonders
he saw the apostles perform, not in Christ! Simon didn't experience a
heart change; he simply changed careers and continued his deception through
performing religious activities. Why? Because he was power hungry...
Acts 8:18-19
And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles hands the Holy
Ghost was given, he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power,
that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Simon said, "Give me"... He loved holding power over an audience and he
would do anything he could to get his enthralling reputation back, or
acquire a new one a new way... He wanted to conjure up the same testimony
for himself as the apostles had done. Naturally, in wild desperation to
satisfy his lust, he offered to buy the power of influence these men of
God had, begging the apostles for such ability. But what God gives is
not bought with money; it's bought with the blood of Christ! And Peter
boldly told him so...
Verse 20-23:
But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither
part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of
God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps
the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou
art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
A strong spirit requires strong confrontation... Ladies, Peter perceived
something missing in the heart of Simon, and that was sincerity! He indicated
by the weighty words he delivered unto this enchanter that he was headed
straight for hell and that his money would perish with him. What Simon
said gave the true condition of his heart away - it was bitter because
he had lost his following. His reputation had been shattered by the truth
and Peter made it clear there was only one thing left for him to do...
Repent and ask God for forgiveness!
What did Simon say next?
Verse 24:
Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of
these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
Ladies, common sense tells us if Simon was a Christian, he could have
prayed and asked God this thing for himself, amen? But he knew in his
heart that he had no relationship with the Lord. And he knew that he was
guilty of the things Peter said... But would Simon say it, would he admit
it openly? The wickedness of his heart had been revealed by the ministry
of these two apostles that he had come alongside of. He couldn't hide
the fact that he didn't have the ability to convey the gift of the Holy
Spirit to others. However, Simon never said another thing. He was silent
after Peter's rebuke. In fact, his name is never mentioned again in scripture
after this point. What Simon says remains to be seen at the judgment seat
of Christ!
In the meantime, is there someone who has enchanted you in such a way,
dear lady?? Has a certain "Simon" come into your life and conjured up
some pretty fascinating performances, leading you to follow after him
or her with their bewitching behavior? Who in your life right now do you
consider to be "some great one"? It may be someone you have known a long
time or it may be someone you're recently become associated with. Could
it be you've prematurely come to the conclusion someone is great based
on his or her ability to charm you, to delight you? Who has swayed you
with their religious activity? Remember, not all power is of God! No one
is exempt from falling under the spell of sorcery, of satanic influences,
so it behooves us all to be on guard of such beguiling spirits.
While we're on the topic, let me ask you why you became a Christian...
Because you knew you were lost and needed a Savior, or because you were
mesmerized by miracles? Perhaps you've been trying to convince others
you're a Christian when in the depths of your heart you know you're not...
You've gone through the motions of professing God, getting baptized and
faithfully attending church, but you were never born again. Repent and
ask God for forgiveness! This story shows only how close a person can
come to salvation and not really be converted.
In closing, is your heart really right before God today? Truthfully, many
of us have the same self-seeking monster within us that Simon did! Starve
that old man within you when your pride raises its ugly head and whispers
to you of your own greatness. Simon was one of Satan's clever counterfeits
and had Peter not exposed the wickedness of his heart with the truth,
this enchanting, likeable, charming man could have easily been accepted
by countless believers and powerfully influenced the whole congregation
at Samaria! Yes, even within the church there are sorcerers that would
lust after their own following...
Acts 20:28-30
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which
the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which
he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing
shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also
of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw
away disciples after them.
There are dangers around us, among us, and within us. Therefore, its time
we stopped playing foolish games. Don't fall prey to what Simon says!
Heed the Word of God.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2002
