The Condition Of The Heart
BRD REFLECTIONS:
Acts 8:1-25 and Psalm 10:1-18 (NIV)
(Celine Sia, Small Group Ministry)
READ:
The focus of this reflection is in Acts 8, verses 3-24.
OBSERVE:
Many people believed the message about the Messiah brought by Philip in Samaria. But I wonder how many really understood what they believed or were they simply captivated by the miraculous signs Philip did? Yes, there was great joy in those who were healed from sickness and delivered from evil spirits. However, Simon the sorcerer was also astounding the people with his magic and they listened to him, even calling him “the Great One – the Power of God”. Then in an interesting twist, Simon himself believed and was baptised. But then he subsequently tried to offer the apostles Peter and John money to buy the power of what they were doing – laying hands on the believers and they received the Holy Spirit. Peter and John immediately rebuked Simon and asked him to seek God’s forgiveness for his evil thoughts. Simon immediately sought the apostles’ help to pray for him to change.
APPLY:
Simon did not seem to be doing anything obviously wrong after he heard the Good News – he believed, was baptised and desired a good gift. But God saw his heart – which was full of bitter jealousy and still held captive by sin. I know I still have sinful thoughts, words and deeds. Similar to Simon, I also am often tempted to quickly look to my own strengths, abilities and yes money to “do good things”. And it must have been an amazing sight to see the believers visibly receive the Holy Spirit, and the miracles being performed to heal and deliver those who were suffering. Simon was caught up in desiring the power of these miracles and getting it for himself for his own purposes. Being a worship leader in Wesley, it is easy to become caught up in the “performance” and striving to do each service “perfectly”, especially when it is live-streamed – after all, aren’t I doing this for God and possibly thousands are watching the service – “I” have to do a good job, of course? But these verses are a reminder that it is only my heart that God looks at, not the flawless worship service.
DO:
I will keep working out my salvation with fear and trembling, and always seek the good council, accountability and prayers of God’s family to assess the condition of my heart.
PRAY:
Thank You Holy Spirit for the prompting in these verses to examine my heart and constantly reassess these things that I do. Help me to discern when I am caught up in the form and not the substance of my faith. I ask for the help of the Holy Spirit to seek and daily spend time to grow my relationship with You, Father God, that my heart will be right before You. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
