DCLM Daily Manna 15 September 2023 Devotional By Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Misdirected Spiritual Ambition
TOPIC: Misdirected Spiritual Ambition (DCLM Daily Manna 15 September 2023)
KEY VERSE: “But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God” (Acts 8:20,21).
TEXT: Acts 8:9-25 (KJV)
9 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:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
18 And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19 Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
20 But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.
22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.
25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.
MESSAGE:
These are the days when many professing Christians are desirous of spiritual gifts but their desire is not the advancement of the gospel of Christ. Rather, they are seeking the gifts purely for personal aggrandisement. Such motives are evil, unscriptural and damning.
This was the case of Simon the sorcerer in today’s text. Philip had preached the gospel of Christ in the city of Samaria. Consequently, many of the inhabitants of the city surrendered their lives to the Saviour. Simon, who had used sorcery to bewitch the people of the city, believed too when he witnessed how the Lord used Philip to perform great miracles and wonders among the people. He became more amazed when Peter and John visited the city and prayed for the believers to receive the Holy Ghost. He too desired the gift of God. Rather than believe and seek God for the baptism, Simon offered the apostles money to procure the experience. However, Peter rebuked him sharply for seeking to purchase the gift of God with money.
Simon coveted the Holy Ghost in a carnal and unscriptural manner. He reduced the gift to a mere commodity purchasable with cash. His request depicts an extreme case of covetousness, which is sinful before the Lord. The Holy Ghost baptism is a promise of God to all His children.
There are requirements for the fulfilment of the promise in the life of a believer who desire it. He must first seek God to remove inbred sins like subtle pride, self-centredness, envy, vainglory, position seeking, etc. He can then thirst and pray for the baptism of the Spirit with the right motives of advancing God’s kingdom. We certainly need the power of the Holy Spirit today to enable us effectively do God’s work. If you can pray earnestly and trust Him today, God will baptise you with His Spirit.
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
Consecration is the acceptable currency of spiritual ambition.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR
Psalm 139 – 150
Deeper Life Daily Manna was written by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
