The days we live in, evil comes in many forms. The sheep look harmless, so sweet and gentle but on the inside, the wolf is raging to be let loose. As the Lord began leading to be silent, watchful and listen to hearts of men. I began to read and study social media and how an ultimate war was happening in front of me. I saw post casting suspicion on the body of Christ and basically leading God’speople astray from the word of truth. After several days of returning to read a continuing thought process of ministers, I began to realized, God’s people are being bewitched.
The Lord then lead me to seek out scripture concerning Simon the sorcerer and the spirit that operated within him. In Acts chapter eight the word of God begans to break down the emotions of Simon and how he physically and spiritually wanted to be God. The is nothing new within the spiritual discernment of many belivers because satan tried the same tactic with God himself.
In acts 8:9 the scripture tells us about a certain man called Simon, which before-time in the same city used sorcery and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one. I want us to examine Simon’s history before moving into his heart. Acient ecclesiastical writers say that Simon claimed he was the Father who gave the law to Moses; that he came in the reign of Tiberias in the person as the Son; and he descended upon the disciples at Pentecost in flames of fire; that he was the Messiah, the Paraclete, and Jupiter; and that the woman who accompied him called Helena was Minerva, or the first intelligence.
Simon was ultimately convience he was far more spiritual than anyone else and everyone needs to focus upon him. I have seen this same spirit fill platforms, churches and media streams. Simon dwelled among Paphos, the capital of Cyprus the temple of Venus, the “Queen of Paphos.” He was known as a Jew and false prophet Barjesus, the son of one named Jesus or Joshua who claimed a divine call; a fortune teller. Who had much favor with the deputy of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man who called upon Barnabas and Saul desiring to hear the word of God. Simon ran with high authority & those in high positions.
Simon used his influence rather of darkness to bewitch the people claiming he was some great one, influencing the people to look at him that he is the great power of God. He wanted to be looked upon as powerful, anointed and the power of God came from him.
Simon had followers bewitched by his power and influence. Sorcery comes from the acient magical arts (Luke 12:29) it means to be of a doubtful mind, in the Greek means, meteorize: to raise in mid-air, suspend, fluctuate, be anxious, or be carried about as meteors moved about with the current, tossed up and down between hope & fear.
People that are bewitched follow man and do not seek God out for themselves. I am not saying we should not have leaders or mentors, what I am saying are those that seek power from God and will looked to anyone to get it. This is exactly what Simon attempted to accomplish.
You will see this socery working in all kinds of religious churches. They are full of hype, with no true worship, wanting people to look how holy they are. They are without the whole word of God and come to get thier bewitching on special services. They lay untrained, fat in doctrine, and paying the offering dues. Meanwhile having no clue how to spread the gospel, feed the poor or step into the calling of God, they are bewitched.
The scriptures teach us of how this sorcery is broken in Acts 8:12, when Phillip came preaching the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ, the entire gospel. Philip actually broke off the bewitched darkness off the people. Its because when Philip preached the kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they believed and the veils of sorcery were broken.
Not only did the people repent but Simon also believed and was baptized, and continued with Philip and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. (Acts 8:13) We need to examine “wondered” in this set of scripture that gives us insight of the heart of Simon. Wondered in Strongs means existemi, meaning to be astonished, bewitched or wonder. To throw out of position, displace, to be out of ones mind, beside oneself or insane. Even though Simon believed, he still had a heart issue regarding power. He wanted to obtain or have power over something that was not his. We can be filled with the power of the Holy Ghost but the power belongs to the Father. We are not to display the power of God as we are God, but are to bring God’s glory to his name.
Acts 8:14-23 proceeds to teach us that Simon wanted to buy the Holy Ghost, he wanted to purchase the power to bewitch the people to look at him, he had major pride issues. Peter then rebukes Simon and told him your heart is not right in the sight of God, you cannot purchase God with fame, fortune or money. Peter then called his heart issue wickedness and perceived Simon was in gall of bitterness. Acts 20-23
Peter did not indicate Simon was past hope, but he must repent to be free from the wickedness of wanting to buy the Spirit for personal gain.We as the people of God have to keep our souls from being bewithched or being the sorcerer. Being in tuned with the spirit of God to manifest His Glory and nothing of ourselves.
Simon then asking Peter, please pray to the Lord that these things you have spoken do not come upon me. His heart check was reality at this moment. God’s power belongs to Him and we are only partakers and co-labors of the Kingdom of God, it’s time to use discernment only obeying the Holy spirit and wearing the belt of Truth.