1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

 

Satan attacked Simon with a familiar demonic spirit. He had operated under the power of that spirit for so long, when the opportunity appeared before him, he automatically responded as he had in the past.

 

Simon had gained a position in the community through his practice of witchcraft and sorcery. The demonic spirit associated with this has the supernatural power to do certain things that appeared to be miracles in the eyes of the people and they looked up to Simon because of it. This, by the way, is idol worship.

 

However, when they heard the Truth of the Gospel of Christ as preached by Philip, they turned from the powers of the enemy through Simon and turned their hearts toward God and the Divine Supernatural Power of the Holy Spirit.

 

The people were Simon’s followers. They believed in him until they heard the Truth. Then they turned their hearts toward God. This is true repentance. The Bible tells us that Simon heard the Gospel and believed it too but as soon as the opportunity to have power came about, Simon reverted right back to that power-hungry man he had always been. This is when Peter called him out and told him that his heart was not right with God and that his money would die with him. Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money! You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity. (Acts 8:20-23)

 

Simon received Peter’s rebuke and his response was as follows: Pray to the Lord for me, that none of these things which you have spoken come upon me. (Acts 8:24) As far as we know, Simon never sought the Lord for Forgiveness and repented. Instead, he asked Peter to pray for him. No one really knows if Simon was truly saved or not. The Word of God doesn’t tell us. The above words are the last thing written about Simon in the Bible.

 

The point is, we are all responsible to come to the Lord in true heart-felt repentance ourselves. While we can pray for each other, we cannot repent for one another. This is our personal responsibility and has everything to do with our personal relationship with God.

 

God knows the motives of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from Him. Jesus said, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:21) There is an old saying: You can fool some of the people all of the time and you can fool all of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all the people all the time. Allow me to add that you cannot fool God at all, anytime.

 

 

Repent and allow Him to…...….turn the tide……..in your life.

 

Forgiven,         Doreen

 

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