DCLM Daily Manna 2023: DCLM Daily Manna 15 September 2023: Misdirected Spiritual Ambition
KEY VERSE: “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.” – (Acts 8:20,21)
TEXT: Acts 8:9-25 (KJV)
But there was a man named Simon, who had formerly practiced magic arts in the city to the utter amazement of the Samaritan nation, claiming that he himself was an extraordinary and distinguished person.
10 They all paid earnest attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is that exhibition of the power of God which is called great (intense).
11 And they were attentive and made much of him, because for a long time he had amazed and bewildered and dazzled them with his skill in magic arts.
12 But when they believed the good news (the Gospel) about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (the Messiah) as Philip preached it, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Even Simon himself believed [he adhered to, trusted in, and relied on the teaching of Philip], and after being baptized, devoted himself constantly to him. And seeing signs andmiracles of great power which were being performed, he was utterly amazed.
14 Now when the apostles (special messengers) at Jerusalem heard that [the country of] Samaria had accepted and welcomed the Word of God, they sent Peter and John to them,
15 And they came down and prayed for them that the Samaritans might receive the Holy Spirit;
16 For He had not yet fallen upon any of them, but they had only been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then [the apostles] laid their hands on them one by one, and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 However, when Simon saw that the [Holy] Spirit was imparted through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he brought money and offered it to them,
19 Saying, Grant me also this power and authority, in order that anyone on whom I place my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.
20 But Peter said to him, Destruction overtake your money and you, because you imagined you could obtain the [free] gift of God with money!
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is all wrong in God’s sight [it is not straightforward or right or true before God].
22 So repent of this depravity and wickedness of yours and pray to the Lord that, if possible, this contriving thought and purpose of your heart may be removed and disregarded and forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in a bond forged by iniquity [to fetter souls].
24 And Simon answered, Pray for me [beseech the Lord, both of you], that nothing of what you have said may befall me!
25 Now when [the apostles] had borne their testimony and preached the message of the Lord, they went back to Jerusalem, proclaiming the glad tidings (Gospel) to many villages of the Samaritans [on the way].
Read yesterday’s Daily Manna here
These are the days when many professing Christians are desirous of spiritual gifts but their desire is not the advancement of the gospel of Christ. Rather, they are seeking the gifts purely for personal aggrandisement. Such motives are evil, unscriptural and damning.
This was the case of Simon the sorcerer in today’s text. Philip had preached the gospel of Christ in the city of Samaria. Consequently, many of the inhabitants of the city surrendered their lives to the Saviour. Simon, who had used sorcery to bewitch the people of the city, believed too when he witnessed how the Lord used Philip to perform great miracles and wonders among the people. He became more amazed when Peter and John visited the city and prayed for the believers to receive the Holy Ghost. He too desired the gift of God. Rather than believe and seek God for the baptism, Simon offered the apostles money to procure the experience. However, Peter rebuked him sharply for seeking to purchase the gift of God with money.
Simon coveted the Holy Ghost in a carnal and unscriptural manner. He reduced the gift to a mere commodity purchasable with cash. His request depicts an extreme case of covetousness, which is sinful before the Lord. The Holy Ghost baptism is a promise of God to all His children.
There are requirements for the fulfilment of the promise in the life of a believer who desire it. He must first seek God to remove inbred sins like subtle pride, self-centredness, envy, vainglory, position seeking, etc. He can then thirst and pray for the baptism of the Spirit with the right motives of advancing God’s kingdom. We certainly need the power of the Holy Spirit today to enable us effectively do God’s work. If you can pray earnestly and trust Him today, God will baptise you with His Spirit.
THOUGHT OF THE DAY: Consecration is the acceptable currency of spiritual ambition.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Psalm 139-150
Thank you for studying today’s Daily Manna – Misdirected Spiritual Ambition – by Pastor W.F Kumuyi
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Daily Manna 15 September 2023
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