A Heart Condition

You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Acts 8:21 (NIV)

In chapter eight of the book of Acts, Peter and John went to Samaria to encourage Philip in his ministry. The believers had heard and received the Word of the Lord, but the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon them. In verse 17, Peter and John placed their hands on them, (prayed) and they received the Holy Spirit. Simon, a sorcerer, had also believed and been baptized but when he witnessed the giving of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands, he offered Peter money for the ability to anoint with the Holy Spirit as well.

Peter answered Simon saying, May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin. Acts 8:20-23 (NIV)

Simon was shocked by Peter’s reprimand and begged the apostles to pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me. Acts 8:24 (NIV) Simon did not desire the gift of the Spirit, but the power to bestow it…and it was not for the sake of advancing the Gospel through the performing of miraculous signs and wonders, but for the sake of personal profit. Simon desired the honor and recognition of an apostle, not the spirit of a follower of Christ. While he may have been surprised by Peter’s criticism, immediately seeking prayer, his words demonstrated that he was more concerned about receiving judgment for his behavior than with correcting the condition of his heart. His response should have been in accord with David’s found in Psalm 139:23-24, which says, Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)

Proverbs 4:23 tells us, Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. (NIV) As Christ’s followers, our desire is to serve God, but sometimes, if we are not careful to guard our hearts, participating or sharing in the work of Christ can overshadow the spirit of Christ working in us. We may become motivated or encouraged by what people say about what we do, rather than by simply doing it. We might begin to seek the approval of our peers before seeking the approval of God. We may struggle with desiring the gifts that others possess rather than embracing the gifts God has already given to us. We might place higher value on visible ministries over those done behind the scenes.

Our outward behavior is determined by the condition of our inward attitude of heart. Similarly, our outward behavior is a barometer of our heart’s condition. If our hearts are not right before God, then our actions will eventually follow suit and our ministry will begin to suffer. As Peter instructed Simon, if we discover that we have been laboring toward our own ambitions, we must repent and pray to the Lord for forgiveness. Ask God to search your heart. If you are surprised by what the Lord reveals to you, do not merely repent for the sinful act itself, but for the heart condition that led you to sin in the first place. Remember that God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him. 2 Chronicles 30:9 (NIV)
©2009 by Stephanie French.