Acts 8:9-24 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria… This short sketch reminds us — 1. That men in every age have been prone to deify great wickedness. 2. That great wickedness, to answer its end, has often identified itself with religion. 3. That true religion exposes all such imposture. We take Simon as the representative of wrong-heartedness.Note — I. Its essence — covetousness. "He offered them money."In relation to this observe that — 1. It is opposed to mental improvement. It necessarily blinds the eye and limits the intellectual horizon: whereas benevolence elevates the mind, gives vastness to the view, and places every object in the full light of heaven. 2. It is condemned by moral consciousness. There is a principle within which is an infallible indicator of the soul's health, and this ever condemns covetousness, The selfish man wears out his self-respect, and stands before God and himself a wretched man. 3. It is condemned by the verdict of society. Society may flatter but it cannot respect a covetous man. Hence men assume the features and speak the language of benevolence. 4. It is incompatible with moral order. This requires one-ness, mutual attraction. But selfishness repels from one another and from God. 5. It is denounced by Scripture. Covetousness is declared to be idolatry, against which as the most revolting form of depravity the heaviest judgments are denounced. II. ITS TENDENCY — ruin. This is no constitutional infirmity claiming palliation, but a disease of the heart. As in physics, so in morals, if the heart be wrong the most serious consequences are imminent. The text reminds us of three evils. 1. It involves the greatest sacrifice, "Thy money perish with thee." Peter took it for granted that he would perish. A good man's money lives in its .consequences. 2. It precludes an interest in religion, "Thou has neither part nor lot," etc., i.e., in Christianity with its glorious doctrines, promises, and provisions. 3. It necessitates great personal wretchedness. Covetousness is at once — (1) A hitter "gall," and (2) A slavish life, "bonds." III. ITS CURE. 1. Prescribed. (1) Repentance — a change in the controlling disposition. (2) Prayer — conscious dependence upon God. (3) Forgiveness. Covetousness is a sin against God, and for it a sinner must be either forgiven or damned. Repentance and prayer are essential to pardon. 2. Ignored. Simon did not attend to the heavenly prescription. He did not repent of his sin although he deplored its consequences. lie did not pray for himself, but he asked Peter to pray for him, and not that his heart might be changed, but that the consequence of his sin might be averted. Observe the two evils ever prevalent in false religions. (1) Selfishness. To avoid misery is the leading idea in the religion of millions. (2) Proxyism. The tendency to trust others in religious matters is the foundation of all ecclesiastical imposture and the great curse of the world. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: |
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