February 12, 2009 - Acts 8:20

“Peter answered: ‘May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!’” Acts 8:20.
When Simon the magician offers payment to receive the ability to do miracles through the Holy Spirit, Peter responds with this straight forward statement. But Simon didn’t really know what he was doing, and this was the only way he knew to obtain any new “magic” that he needed to maintain his livelihood. Peter, then, charged Simon to repent of his bitterness and his captivity to sin. Simon, to his credit, appears to have done just what Peter commanded.
This is quite a scene taking place in this Samaritan city. Simon, a powerful man in the city, is called out because of his sinfulness, and he responds by appealing to Peter for prayer. It could have been a tense moment, yet Peter stepped up to say what needed to be said in order to confront the problem. Simon was unable to see his problem clearly, yet he could have gotten really upset at Peter for his harsh treatment. It appears that he swallowed his pride and received Peter’s correction.
I must admit that there are times – many times – that I struggle to receive correction. My pride rises up within me, and before I know it, I am reacting all over the place. I either go into a funk, get angry, or have some other reaction but it all seems to come from those prideful thoughts that reside deep inside. Thanks be to God, for He is helping me to expose that problem and to deal with it, and I know that it is a long, painful process. My hope is that I continue on this journey and that God continues to help me deal with my pride.
Questions to consider: How do you handle being confronted with your problems or mistakes? What is it that rises up from within you that causes you to react in inappropriate ways? What can you do about it?
Prayer: Thank You, Father, for this confrontation of Simon by Peter and for Simon’s response. I pray that I would have a similar, humble response when confronted. Please help me to have the grace to receive correction, as from Your caring hand in my life. Amen.