Our Culture Loves Praise of Men

Acts 8:9
"But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great."

Acts 8:13
"Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done."

Acts 8:18-24

And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money,

Act 8:19 saying, "Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit."

Act 8:20 But Peter said to him, "Your money perish with you, because you thought that the gift of God could be purchased with money!

Act 8:21 "You have neither part nor portion in this matter, for your heart is not right in the sight of God.

Act 8:22 "Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you.

Act 8:23 "For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity."

Act 8:24 Then Simon answered and said, "Pray to the Lord for me, that none of the things which you have spoken may come upon me."

Simon saw the miracles, believe in Christ....but he was not born again, even when he acknowledged that he was not, he did not repent, but only asked that other pray for him to be repentant.

This passage is a perfect picture of all the fakers that exist in our culture today. They want the Lord for their own wealth, health and purposes, but they are not willing to submit to Christ. Their "Christianity" is a means to their own ends, this is the reason they never move from infancy to maturity in their walk.

When we find ourselves continually instructing and arguing with the same people over what seem to be simple matters of the Word, we can discern that they are not born again. Those who fight against instruction, leave when the truth convicts and defame us to others to make themselves feel justified, are those who have not submitted to Christ.

Matthew 15:8 "'These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with [their] lips, But their heart is far from Me."

Psalms 50:16 "But to the wicked God says: "What [right] have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth,

Psa 50:17 "Seeing you hate instruction And cast My words behind you?"

Psa 50:18 "When you saw a thief, you consented [fn] with him, And have been a partaker with adulterers."

Psa 50:19 "You give your mouth to evil, And your tongue frames deceit."

Psa 50:20 "You sit [and] speak against your brother; You slander your own mother's son."

Psa 50:21 "These [things] you have done, and I kept silent; You thought that I was altogether like you; [But] I will rebuke you, And set [them] in order before your eyes."

Psa 50:22 "Now consider this, you who forget God, Lest I tear [you] in pieces, And [there be] none to deliver:"

Psa 50:23 "Whoever offers praise glorifies Me; And to him who orders [his] conduct [aright] I will show the salvation of God."