Acts 8:12-17
Have you ever tried to look a certain way for someone else? Maybe you changed the way you dress or act in front of someone else, but that really isn’t the way you are. You see this a lot in movies when the plot is in high school. Someone acting like they like sports because the person they’re interested in might be a jock. I’m sure we can all think of many examples of this, either in movies, our own lives, or other people.
In a passage today, we see a man acting a certain way, but on the inside, he has not yet been changed. That man is Simon the magician. In Acts, we see some incredible things happening. People are hearing the gospel, believing, and getting baptized. God is moving in Samaria, and we see lives being changed.
Simon was following Philip because he was amazed by what was happening. He’s in awe of the miracles performed. We even see him get baptized. You would think, looking at him, that this guy is “all in”. On the outside, he would appear to have figured it out and bought into it all. But on the inside, we see his heart is in a different place. Later in the passage, when the apostles arrive, we see the Spirit begin to move in a greater way. Simon’s real heart begins to show itself. He didn’t necessarily want God; he wanted power. He didn’t want the transformation that Christ brings; he was the influence. Simon did not fully surrender to Jesus; he just wanted to add Jesus to his old ambitions. We see the story of Simon played out often in our world today as well. A person who can look like a Christian, but is still holding onto their old ways, identity, and their same old idols. We see people who imitate devotion and fake it rather than embracing full surrender to Jesus.
God isn’t impressed by our image; He wants our full heart, given and devoted to Him. You might be able to fake it to others and look the part. You might know the right things to say. You might know the expectations and how to follow them so others won’t notice. But now this, God always knows. He knows exactly where your heart is, and you can never trick Him. God is searching for those who truly want Him, not just on the outside. He wants all of you.
Do you, at times, ever fall into the trap of “looking the part” with your walk of faith? Do you ever find yourself trying to fake it around others? Where do you want control in your life that you might not be willing to surrender to Him? Where are you looking to others more rather than looking to Him?
Last question, where is God calling you to surrender deeper? Not just to perform better, but to surrender. Let Him completely in and let Him lead you in every aspect of your life.
Have you ever tried to look a certain way for someone else? Maybe you changed the way you dress or act in front of someone else, but that really isn’t the way you are. You see this a lot in movies when the plot is in high school. Someone acting like they like sports because the person they’re interested in might be a jock. I’m sure we can all think of many examples of this, either in movies, our own lives, or other people.
In a passage today, we see a man acting a certain way, but on the inside, he has not yet been changed. That man is Simon the magician. In Acts, we see some incredible things happening. People are hearing the gospel, believing, and getting baptized. God is moving in Samaria, and we see lives being changed.
Simon was following Philip because he was amazed by what was happening. He’s in awe of the miracles performed. We even see him get baptized. You would think, looking at him, that this guy is “all in”. On the outside, he would appear to have figured it out and bought into it all. But on the inside, we see his heart is in a different place. Later in the passage, when the apostles arrive, we see the Spirit begin to move in a greater way. Simon’s real heart begins to show itself. He didn’t necessarily want God; he wanted power. He didn’t want the transformation that Christ brings; he was the influence. Simon did not fully surrender to Jesus; he just wanted to add Jesus to his old ambitions. We see the story of Simon played out often in our world today as well. A person who can look like a Christian, but is still holding onto their old ways, identity, and their same old idols. We see people who imitate devotion and fake it rather than embracing full surrender to Jesus.
God isn’t impressed by our image; He wants our full heart, given and devoted to Him. You might be able to fake it to others and look the part. You might know the right things to say. You might know the expectations and how to follow them so others won’t notice. But now this, God always knows. He knows exactly where your heart is, and you can never trick Him. God is searching for those who truly want Him, not just on the outside. He wants all of you.
Do you, at times, ever fall into the trap of “looking the part” with your walk of faith? Do you ever find yourself trying to fake it around others? Where do you want control in your life that you might not be willing to surrender to Him? Where are you looking to others more rather than looking to Him?
Last question, where is God calling you to surrender deeper? Not just to perform better, but to surrender. Let Him completely in and let Him lead you in every aspect of your life.
Posted in Devotional