"Simon Spirit"

Acts 8:12 KJV

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.

Philip's ministry in Samaria is marked by the influence of another man, a sorcerer. Philip's converts are people who had at first been believers in the deceptions of Simon. The passage makes it seem that they were easily persuaded to abandon the false doctrines of Simon and embrace the message Philip preached and then follow quickly in believer's baptism. So thorough was this work that even Simon becomes a professed believer and follows in baptism; or so it appears. Simon's true character rushes to the surface once again when the Apostles arrived and began to lay hands on believers so that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Simon wanted influence and power over people, not a ministry and walk with the Lord.

I am afraid there is much of the “Simon spirit” in Christianity today. People enter Christianity for what they believe they can receive from it.

·         They see it as an avenue of prosperity rather than a means of rescue

·         They view the followers of Christ as a source of personal power and control rather than a people in need

God help us to have hearts for God and for souls. God change us that our purpose is to follow the Lord and not leech from desperate people. 


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