What steps can we take to repent from wrong motives as Simon was advised? Simon’s Heart Condition Exposed Peter to Simon: “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in our ministry, because your heart is not right before God.” (Acts 8:20-21) Take the Warning Seriously • A wrong motive can cancel participation in God’s work. • Motives matter as much as actions (1 Samuel 16:7). • The Holy Spirit is not for sale; He seeks surrendered hearts, not transactions. Step 1: Acknowledge the Heart Problem • Admit the possibility of hidden agendas (Jeremiah 17:9). • Let Scripture search you: “For the word of God is living and active… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12-13) • Ask the Spirit to reveal mixed motives (Psalm 139:23-24). Step 2: Confess with Honesty • Own the sin without excuses: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us…” (1 John 1:9). • Name the specific motive—pride, greed, applause, control. • Verbal confession breaks deception’s grip (Proverbs 28:13). Step 3: Ask God for Cleansing • Peter urged, “Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord.” (Acts 8:22) • Repentance is a change of mind that yields a change of direction (Isaiah 55:7). • Pray for purification: “Create in me a clean heart, O God.” (Psalm 51:10). Step 4: Replace Wrong Motives with God’s Purpose • Seek to glorify Christ, not self (1 Corinthians 10:31). • Pursue service over status (Mark 10:43-45). • Practice generosity instead of manipulation (Acts 20:35). Step 5: Pursue Accountability and Ongoing Watchfulness • Invite mature believers to ask hard questions (Galatians 6:1-2). • Guard the heart daily: “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23). • Keep short accounts with God—quick confession, quick obedience (James 4:8-10). Living the Lesson Today • Examine every ministry desire: Is Christ or ego at the center? • Value the Giver above His gifts. • Let repentance be continual, not a one-time event, so our hearts stay “in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). |
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