City Life Starter

Written by Chellakkan Blesson

The Word

18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” -Acts 8:18-19 (ESV)

Reflection

Before believing the gospel, Simon the magician built his reputation by astonishing people with his magical powers. He was admired, influential, and accustomed to using supernatural means to gain recognition and control. Although Simon believed and was baptized after hearing Philip preach, his heart had not yet fully grasped the nature of God’s grace.

When Peter and John laid their hands on the believers and they received the power of the Holy Spirit, Simon saw an opportunity. He offered money in exchange for the ability to impart the Holy Spirit, treating God’s gift as something that could be bought, possessed, and used for personal gain. Simon’s old mindset had followed him into his new faith. Instead of submitting to God, he wanted to use God’s power to elevate himself.

Peter’s rebuke exposed the real issue. Simon’s problem was not ignorance but the condition of his heart. The Holy Spirit is not a commodity to be purchased or a power to be manipulated. God cannot be controlled, bought, or used to fulfill our personal ambitions.

Application

Although few of us would try to buy spiritual power, we can easily fall into the same mindset as Simon. We may approach God only when we need something, treating Him as a means to achieve our own goals. We pray for success, comfort, healing, or blessing while forgetting that our relationship with God is not transactional. God is not a genie in a bottle who exists to grant our wishes whenever we call upon Him. He is the sovereign Lord of heaven and earth. Scripture reminds us that we are the clay, and He is the potter. Our calling is not to bend God to our will but to surrender our lives to His.

The question we should ask ourselves is not, “How can God help me accomplish my plans?” but, “How can I faithfully participate in God’s plans?” True discipleship begins when we stop trying to use God and instead allow Him to shape us into the people He desires us to be.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have treated You as a means to accomplish my own desires rather than worshiping You as my Lord. Teach me to surrender my plans, ambitions, and expectations into Your hands. Shape me like clay in the hands of the Potter, and help me seek Your will above my own. May my heart desire You more than Your gifts, and may my life bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.