18When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money 19and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:18,19
There is an old adage that goes “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. It suggests that people who have been doing things a certain way for a long time can’t abandon their habits. When we become Christians we are forgiven of past sins but we must be cautious that we put away our old ‘nature’ and take on new habits guided by the Bible and the example of Jesus Christ.
The 8th chapter of Acts gives an account of Simon the Sorcerer’s conversion to Christianity. He claimed to be a holy man and had performed magic all over the city. He had been proclaiming to the people that he had a divine and great power. When he heard Phillip preach, he was baptized and began to follow the disciples. After seeing Peter and John pray that the new converts receive the Holy Spirit and lay hands on them, Simon asked the disciples if they would sell him that ability. The disciples rebuked him and questioned whether he had ever really experienced conversion. How often do we abandon God’s way for our own? How many times do we let our flawed and sinful thoughts drive our decision making? When we decide we need to set someone straight by confronting them instead of praying for them and for guidance to handle the situation? When we decide that we had a hard day so we need a drink instead of meditation and prayer? When we use the same backstabbing and ambitious social-climbing practiced in the world in order to better our position at church? Upon mature reflection, we must confess that we have more in common with Simon than we care to admit.
Pray today for that the Holy Spirit guide you away from your old habits and attitudes and help you embrace and internalize God’s plan for your life.
Deacon Larry Woodard
There is an old adage that goes “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. It suggests that people who have been doing things a certain way for a long time can’t abandon their habits. When we become Christians we are forgiven of past sins but we must be cautious that we put away our old ‘nature’ and take on new habits guided by the Bible and the example of Jesus Christ.
The 8th chapter of Acts gives an account of Simon the Sorcerer’s conversion to Christianity. He claimed to be a holy man and had performed magic all over the city. He had been proclaiming to the people that he had a divine and great power. When he heard Phillip preach, he was baptized and began to follow the disciples. After seeing Peter and John pray that the new converts receive the Holy Spirit and lay hands on them, Simon asked the disciples if they would sell him that ability. The disciples rebuked him and questioned whether he had ever really experienced conversion. How often do we abandon God’s way for our own? How many times do we let our flawed and sinful thoughts drive our decision making? When we decide we need to set someone straight by confronting them instead of praying for them and for guidance to handle the situation? When we decide that we had a hard day so we need a drink instead of meditation and prayer? When we use the same backstabbing and ambitious social-climbing practiced in the world in order to better our position at church? Upon mature reflection, we must confess that we have more in common with Simon than we care to admit.
Pray today for that the Holy Spirit guide you away from your old habits and attitudes and help you embrace and internalize God’s plan for your life.
Deacon Larry Woodard
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