Acts 8:18-23

It is all about the heart! We can do the right things for the wrong reason OR the wrong thing for the right reason….but only with the Holy Spirit are we able to know and do the right thing for the right reason!

Lord help my heart and my actions to be guided by You…it is not within man to know the way to go without You.Do not let the bitterness or iniquity of my past cloud my decisions in the present.

iniquity |iˈnikwədē|

noun (pl. iniquities)

immoral or grossly unfair behavior

bitterness |ˈbidərnəs|

noun

anger and disappointment at being treated unfairly

The gift of tongues was a sign to the nation of Israel, so it is likely that the same sign was present at each step of the opening of the gospel—at Jerusalem, at Samaria, and at the home of Cornelius. Verse 13 indicates that Simon was a believer. However, he confused the work of God with his previous magical practices. Because others had paid him for the secrets of his magic, he may have simply thought that this was the best way to approach Peter.

Acts 8:18-23

¹⁸ And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, ¹⁹ saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

²⁰ But Peter said to him, “Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! ²¹ You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. ²² Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. ²³ For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

⁸ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. 

Matthew 10:8

³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

Acts 2:38

⁹ “The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it? 

Jeremiah 17:9

¹⁵ looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled; 

Hebrews 12:15

²⁵ in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 

2 Timothy 2:25