“Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee” (Acts 8:22).
TEXT — Acts 8:14-24
Message
In 2008, the world plunged into a financial crisis that wiped out businesses, homes, and life savings. What caused it? A thought – greed disguised as innovation. Banks and investors believed they could manipulate mortgage lending to make endless profits. That single idea led to reckless decisions, collapsing economies worldwide.
The delusional Simon the Sorcerer thought he could receive the Holy Spirit through a bribe. He had long captivated Samaria with his magic, earning the people’s admiration. But when Philip preached Christ, he believed, was baptised, and followed the evangelist, astonished by the genuine power of God. When Peter and John arrived and laid hands on the believers to receive the Holy Ghost, Simon’s true intentions surfaced. He offered money to Peter, saying, “Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost”. Peter’s response was sharp: “Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.” The issue was not just Simon’s words but the thought behind them. He hoped to merchandise the power of God for personal, pecuniary benefits. Peter continued, “Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.”
Pray, if you were on the scene, how would you respond to similar situation as a pastor or church leader standing in Peter’s shoes? Would you proceed to offer a hypocritical prayer for Holy Ghost baptism on Simon and, afterwards, advise him to “appreciate the man of God” or “honour God with his substance?”
No sin begins with an action; it all starts with a thought. Judas thought about betrayal before he sold Jesus. Ananias and Sapphira conceived deception before they lied. David’s sin with Bathsheba began with a look that turned into insatiable desire, which eventually produced counter-productive domino effects. Jesus warned that out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adultery, fornication, theft, false witness, blasphemy, and so on.
Are you entertaining dangerous thoughts, subtle pride, secret jealousy, hidden bitterness, or concealed lust that could eventually turn monstrous? Kill the thought before it kills you. Repent and be at peace with God. His grace will abide and His precepts will guide you.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
