Charlatans

"When Simon the Sorcerer saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles' hands, he offered them money and said, "Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit." Acts 8:18

God's power can only be used for God's purposes. When there is power that is not for God's purposes, it comes from somewhere else. The devil was the first charlatan. He is the King of Charlatans. He is a fake and an impostor, a liar and deceiver. People are attracted to power and want it. Everybody wants to do the magic trick. Everybody wants to impress. It is tempting to have power and have people be impressed by you.

Simon was just such a character. He did sorcery and magic as the enemy gave him ability to do so. If the power does not come from God, then it comes from the devil. Simon wanted to get himself some of that power and was willing to pay for it. Peter rebuked him and set him straight, that God's power was not for sale. Peter went to the heart of the matter with Simon and told him that he was captive to sin and full of bitterness. Peter also told Simon he was not part of their ministry; and that his heart was not right before God, and that he should repent. Probably a little jealous and opportunistic, too.

We meet people like this in the world. People who want power and influence, people who want authority, but do not want to be subject to the ultimate authority. Such people are dangerous. They are full of themselves and easily manipulated by the forces of evil. When people who are not of God get a little bit of power or notoriety, they are loose cannons, able to persuade many that their ability comes from themselves. Perhaps Simon repented when he decided to ask for prayer when he responded, "Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me."

We need not fear people who claim supernatural power. All power is subject to the only true God. There is no other authority under heaven. I am not terribly impressed by sleight of hand or illusions. Magic is a trick. Horoscopes are not truth. Those who mess around with any form of power, without being subject to God, are on shaky ground. Are you impressed by things levitating, or spirits, or ghosts, or unexplained mysteries? Step back and think twice before you give it any credibility that it does not deserve. The enemy can play with our minds and mess with our thoughts. We are easily taken with the things of this world. No wonder it is such an industry with people paying all kinds of money to have their fortunes told, or tarot cards dealt, or palms read.

We must be careful not to flirt with the enemy in such matters. Put your faith in God. He is the only reliable source of truth and light in this world. Simon the Sorcerer learned a lesson that God's power is not for sale. We would do well to never mess with anything that does not emanate from Him.

In Him,
Pastor Fred

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