What steps can we take to cultivate a heart of genuine faith and humility? Our Starting Point: A Troubled Heart Revealed Acts 8:19: “Give me this power as well,” he said, “so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” Simon’s request exposes a heart craving status more than surrender. From his failure we learn how to seek the Lord with genuine faith and humility. Step 1: Examine Motives under the Light of Scripture • Invite the Word to search you: “Search me, O God, and know my heart…” (Psalm 139:23–24). • Ask, “Do I want Christ Himself, or what He can give me?” (cf. Matthew 6:33). • Regularly compare desires with the plumb line of the Word (Hebrews 4:12). Step 2: Run to Repentance, Not Excuses • Peter told Simon, “Repent of your wickedness” (Acts 8:22). • True repentance is turning from self-exaltation toward God’s mercy (Isaiah 55:7). • Confess specifically, receiving the promise of cleansing (1 John 1:9). Step 3: Fix Your Eyes on Christ, Not Gifts • “He must increase; I must decrease” (John 3:30). • Gifts are tools; Christ is the treasure (Philippians 3:8). • Praise Him daily for who He is, not merely what He does. Step 4: Feed on the Word Daily • “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17). • Schedule unhurried reading; meditate until truth shapes affections (Psalm 1:2–3). • Memorize verses that expose pride and fuel humility (e.g., James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:6). Step 5: Walk in Lowly Dependence • Remember Jesus’ pattern: “He humbled Himself” (Philippians 2:5–8). • Begin each task with, “Apart from You I can do nothing” (John 15:5). • Celebrate weaknesses that drive you to His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Step 6: Serve Quietly and Cheerfully • “When you give…do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing” (Matthew 6:3). • Choose unnoticed opportunities—stack chairs, visit the sick, write encouragement notes. • Let God reward in His time (Matthew 6:4). Step 7: Keep Returning to the Cross • The gospel silences pride: “I have been crucified with Christ; and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20). • Preach the cross to yourself when accomplishments whisper self-glory. • Marvel often that grace, not merit, secures your standing (Ephesians 2:8–9). Putting It All Together Guard the heart, repent quickly, gaze on Christ, soak in Scripture, depend humbly, serve quietly, and stay near the cross. These rhythms transform Simon-like ambition into a faith that treasures Jesus above all and reflects His humble beauty to the world. |
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