4 Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. 5 Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. 6 And the crowds with one accord paid attention to what was being said by Philip, when they heard him and saw the signs that he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying out with a loud voice, came out of many who had them, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. 8 So there was much joy in that city.
9 But there was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great. 10 They all paid attention to him, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called Great.” 11 And they paid attention to him because for a long time he had amazed them with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Even Simon himself believed, and after being baptized he continued with Philip. And seeing signs and great miracles performed, he was amazed.
Having the attention of an audience is addictive. When you are speaking in front of them and you know you have both their hearts and their heads in your hand, you are in a place of grave danger. It can, if you are not controlled by the right principles, become a form of addiction. Our friend, Simon, in the above story had that addictive lust for this attention and power over his audience. Philip was not this way. Nor the Apostles. When you preach Christ you are NOT the main thing. You are just the messenger. Simon craved the addiction of attention. Notice what eventually happens with him:
Acts 8:18-21 (ESV)
Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. All those who teach and preach God’s word can be tempted like Simon. They must confess that addictions and give it to God. Here are some great passages to pray over each week to make sure one does not fall into the Simon the Magician trap:
MONDAY - Preaching the Gospel is the speaking the Power of God:
1 Corinthians 1:18 (ESV)
For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
TUESDAY - Preaching the Gospel folly to the world
1 Corinthians 1:21-23 (ESV)
For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of WHAT WE PREACH to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, BUT WE PREACH CHRIST CRUCIFIED, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles,
WEDNESDAY - Preaching the Gospel is out of weakness of self (Since God let’s me preach He must know I’m a fool and weak)
1 Corinthians 1:26-27 (ESV)
For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is FOOLISH in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is WEAK in the world to shame the strong;
THURSDAY - Preaching the Gospel requires a humble heart
1 Corinthians 1:28-29 (ESV)
God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.
FRIDAY - Preaching the Gospel is not enhanced by fancy talk
1 Corinthians 2:3-4 (ESV)
And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
SATURDAY - Preaching the Gospel is not done in human wisdom but in the wisdom of the Spirit
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 (ESV)
Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual.
SUNDAY - Preaching of the Gospel based upon eloquent speech will hinder the power of God
1 Corinthians 1:17 (ESV)
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.
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