Acts 8:18–24 (CJB) “Shim‘on saw that the Spirit was given when the emissaries placed their hands on them, and he offered them money…” (Acts 8:18, CJB)

Shim‘on—known to us as Simon the magician—believed in God, was baptized, and remained close to the leaders of the early church. From the outside, his life looked like a genuine conversion. He admired the apostles, followed their ministry, and witnessed undeniable spiritual power and real transformation in people’s lives.

But Simon’s problem wasn’t ignorance—it was motivation.

As a magician, Simon was familiar with influence, reputation, and authority. In the apostles, he saw something far greater than tricks or illusions. He saw real power, power that came from God Himself. And instead of humbling himself before God, Simon tried to purchase what only God can give.

Christianity, to Simon, became a means to greater status, influence, and control.

Peter—Kefa—responds with language that feels shockingly severe to modern ears:

“Your silver go to ruin—and you with it… you have no part at all in this matter; because in the eyes of God, your heart is crooked.” (Acts 8:20–21, CJB)

This is not how the contemporary church often speaks. Peter does not affirm Simon’s sincerity. He does not soften the warning. He does not celebrate Simon’s baptism as proof of salvation. Instead, Peter goes straight to the heart of the issue: a crooked heart still enslaved to sin.

Simon’s presence in the church did not guarantee his standing before God. His baptism did not prove regeneration. What mattered—and still matters—is repentance that leads to obedience.

Simon asks Peter to pray for him, but Peter insists that Simon must repent himself—change his thinking about God, abandon his self-centered purpose, and turn toward obedience. Prayer cannot replace repentance. Spiritual leaders cannot do the work of surrender for us.

At the core, Simon was interested in what God could do for him.

But God is interested in what we will do for Him.

Our purpose is not personal glory, spiritual leverage, or religious advancement. Our purpose is God’s glory. We respond to Him with humble gratitude for His undeserved love—most clearly displayed at the cross of Christ. We have been bought with a price, not silver or gold, but the blood of Jesus.

Baptism is not a badge of honor; it is a confession of death—to self, to pride, to selfish ambition—and resurrection into a life lived for God’s purposes alone.

Christianity is not a tool to get what we want from God. It is reconciliation with God so that we may love Him first and most, serving Him faithfully on earth until we dwell with Him forever.

Run Today’s Play: Check your motive before you claim the mission.

Ask yourself honestly:

• Am I following Jesus for what He can give me—or because He is worthy?

• Do I want God’s power, or do I want God’s will?

• Am I using faith to build my kingdom, or submitting my life to His?

Today’s play is repentance-driven obedience:

1. Lay down any desire to use God for personal gain.

2. Confess where pride or ambition has replaced gratitude.

3. Choose one concrete act of obedience today that costs you something—time, comfort, recognition—and offer it to God for His glory alone.

Men of God are not defined by what they can get from God, but by how faithfully they serve Him when no applause follows.