In reading these two verses tonight in Acts, I was actually amazed
that people over 2000 years ago were dealing with acts of darkness. I
don’t know why I was so taken back by this, but I truly was. It
amazes me that for over 2000 years we have still believed and bought into the
powers of darkness.
I believe all of this “magic” talk and acts have diluted the
understanding of God. I think many people, including myself for some
time, thought of God’s miracles as a “magic” trick. I thought that is was
some form of “magic” for lack of better word. I feel like this confusion
and ignorance still exists today.
I know that in any town, city or even rural area you can find a
psychic, tarot card reader, palm reader or some variation of all three, who
will claim to tell you your future, at a cost, of course. I have in my
past visited people who have read my palm, cards or told me my fortune, and
some of them I foolishly believed. I was among the population of
people who didn’t realize that it was wrong for me to do this. That
by doing this I was personally inviting darkness into my life.
These two verses made me think of that time in my life, and made
me ache for people who actually live their lives by this evil and
darkness. I thought it was interesting that people that long ago
were also falling victim to the same traps we are still falling for today.
In verse 10 where it states that people thought that this man
Simon, was exhibiting the same power that God exhibited, was eye opening to
me. It opened my eyes to the way the deceiver, satan, can work wonders
without us even questioning the acts. Simon was walking around
considering himself to be an extraordinary and a distinguished person, but his
life was consumed by evil and darkness. The people he came into contact
with also, bought into the lies of satan.
Please tell me you see these things happening in our lives
today. We have more television shows glorifying the likes of black
“magic” than I remember ever having. There are more shows about vampires,
ghosts, zombies and dark forces than I care to even recognize in the world
today. This is a way to glamorize, influence and water down, the effects
of darkness and satan.
When we are watching things like these as entertainment, we are
glamorizing sin and destruction that has been in the world for thousands of
years now. We are giving it a stamp of approval. I am not
condemning anyone who watches these shows, as I wonder just like Simon; do they
realize exactly what they are doing?
It says in Acts 8:12 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.
We see here the adjustments made when the light of Jesus entered
into their hearts and minds. We see that there was a change in their
thinking and what was appropriate for them and what was not appropriate for
them.
When you have the Holy Spirit living inside of you, which comes
when you accept Jesus Christ as your Savior, your desires begin to
change. You begin to want to fill your life up with things that are
pleasing to God. Things that make Him happy and comfortable, the
Holy Spirit will never be comfortable living in a place of darkness, as He is
the bringer of light. Both cannot exist in the same space, which is
why the Holy Spirit and His light will chase the darkness out of not only you,
but also your entertainment choices.
Now, we see that the people around Simon have changed, but what
about Simon? I am sure as the people changed around him, so did the glory
and acceptance of him change. I am sure Simon was confused and befuddled
as Simon, was also misled to believing he was doing something that was good and
acceptable to God.
In verse 13 we find out about Simon. 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
and miracles of great power which were being performed, he was utterly amazed.
Simon was restored! He was made whole! I love this!! I
want to clap and cheer as once again light has defeated darkness!
The last sentence of verse 13 is powerful. Remember Simon
was the one who was performing “magic” acts, so when it says that after he saw
signs and miracles he was utterly amazed. His spirit connected with the
truth of God’s signs and miracles.
Simon saw truth instead of darkness and lies. His eyes were
opened and he was informed of our Lord and Savior. He had been
deceived into thinking that he was acceptable and right, not only by satan
but also through the people around him, who were also being used by
satan. Simon was given a false sense of security that his actions
were approved and acceptable, until he recognized where his approval and
acceptance was coming from.
When you live in a lifestyle that sin is acceptable it is very
difficult to differentiate yourself from your acts of sin. There is no
one telling you that your behavior is wrong and that you are in fact harming
yourself with your decisions. When you encircle yourself with people,
entertainment and behavior that are of the world, you will find it hard to step
outside of the sin that you are committing.
They say a lot of people who have drug addiction problems will
feel uncomfortable around people who do not use drugs. They feel abnormal
in those surroundings. This is part of the problem when needing to break
free from not only the addiction, but the surroundings that led you to that
addiction.
My mom has always told me that traditionally, you are like the
company you keep. I can say in most cases, she is right. She would
be so happy to hear me say that!! The influences and distractions of
people who are living a lifestyle similar to yours will give you a false sense
of security, just as it did Simon.
BUT!!!! Just as Simon was able to change, so are you!
Simon was given restoration when he saw the error of his ways, and accepted
Jesus as his savior, and so can you! There is a way to move away from the
darkness of sin and sadness that has you en snarled. There is a way
out! I promise you there is a way out!
I wish I could take your hand and make you walk through the open
door that is Jesus, but it is a decision you have to make for yourself.
This is a step that you must take on your own. I know that it is
scary. I know that it is confusing and that there are a million questions
with no answers right now, I know this, because I too, was like you are, and on
the other side of that door.
I too have made poor decisions that were supported by the behavior
of my friends. I was living a lifestyle that was not conducive to
prosperity or happiness. I was living for the feelings of the moment
instead of the life ahead of me. I have done drugs, gone to
psychics, have had many different sexual partners, have lied, have committed
adultery, I have done a lot… so I know the way it feels to live on the other
side of God.
I can tell you, that living my life for God, is so much better than
the life that I was living before. The hope of tomorrow, of today, of
knowing that my life is taken care of in itself, is worth putting all those
things down.
We all come to God on our own time and in our own way, but I hope
that your decision to come to God is one that you make sooner than later.
I pray that you fill that ache in your heart and soul with God instead of with
another drug or sexual encounter.
The work that God did in Simon is available to you! God will
leave you standing back in utter amazement, just as he has done for Simon, for
me, and for many other people who walked through His open door.
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