Scripture: But Peter told him, “May your silver be destroyed with you, because you thought the gift of God could be obtained with money! You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.” “Please pray to the Lord for me,” Simon replied, “so that nothing you have said may happen to me.” Acts 8:20-24
Observation: In response to Simon the Sorcerer attempting to buy the ability to lay on hands, Peter harshly corrects him. However, he is very clear about the correction. He is not correcting the desire to serve others through they laying on of hands - he is correcting the internal heart and attitude of Simon who sought to be able to do this for his own purposes. Peter tells him it is his heart - not his actions - that are not right before God. Simon must pray for forgiveness, not due to his words or actions, but the intent of his heart.
The outward act - attempting to bribe Peter and John in order to receive supernatural power - was evidence of sin ... but it was not the sin itself. The sin was inside of Simon ... jealousy and pride and covetousness. Simon wanted the spiritual authority of Peter and John. He wanted this ability, not so he could then teach others about Jesus and serve God through ministry, but so he would again have a supernatural capability that impressed others. And it is good to note that Simon replied to this correction, acknowledging Peter's authority and faith as greater than his, and submitting to Peter by requesting prayer.
Application: Of course, my sins are just like Simon. Things I do and say are only outward manifestations of ... pride and jealousy. When I see someone at work succeeding at my perceived expense, I get angry, and this is only because of pride. I am arrogant beyond 'to a fault'.
I must take Peter's correction to heart. Especially in the area of pride, it is my heart that is not right before God. I must pray about correcting the intent of my heart. This is not about behavior, it is about attitude, and my attitude remains broken and flawed after all these years.
Prayer: My Lord, you do know my heart. You know I love you and wish to seek you and serve you. You also know I hold tightly to pride, anger, and arrogance. These are the parts that continue to harden my heart. I seek, Lord, and new heart! I wish the kind of heart that is soft and receptive, a heart that is vulnerable to the harsh pains of this world and therefore only protected by trusting you. My you, and not my own abilities, be the only source of my behavior every day. I ask, Lord, that you forgive me of my pride, and help me to have a new heart. Amen.
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