{"id":54776,"date":"2020-03-12T13:33:54","date_gmt":"2020-03-12T10:33:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/?p=54776"},"modified":"2025-09-12T05:59:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T02:59:36","slug":"is-your-heart-upright-before-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wingulamashahidi.org\/en\/2020\/03\/12\/is-your-heart-upright-before-god\/","title":{"rendered":"IS YOUR HEART UPRIGHT BEFORE GOD?"},"content":{"rendered":"
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(Based on Acts 8:9\u201323)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Shalom! What is your reason for following Jesus or attending church? Is your heart truly upright before God?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Motivation Matters to God<\/p>\n

In the New Testament, we read about a man named Simon the Sorcerer, who practiced witchcraft and deceived many people in Samaria. He claimed to be someone great, and the people believed him, saying, \u201cThis man is the power of God that is called Great\u201d<\/em> (Acts 8:10). He amazed them with his sorcery for a long time.<\/p>\n

However, when he heard the Gospel preached by Philip, he believed and was baptized. But here\u2019s the problem: his inward motive wasn\u2019t repentance or salvation\u2014he wanted more power. He believed in Jesus not for the forgiveness of sins, but so he could perform greater miracles. He saw Christianity as a means to enhance his influence and sorcery.<\/p>\n

Outward Acts Don\u2019t Equal True Faith<\/h3>\n

Dear reader, confessing Jesus or getting baptized does not automatically mean you are accepted by the Lord. There must be an inward transformation\u2014a genuine change of heart.<\/p>\n

Simon had simply exchanged his \u201cwitchcraft cloak\u201d for a \u201creligious robe,\u201d continuing his pursuit of power under a new disguise.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s read what the Bible says:<\/p>\n

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Acts 8:9\u201323 (ESV)<\/h3>\n
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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, \u201cThis man is the power of God that is called Great.\u201d
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.
14 Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John,
15 who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit,
16 for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
17 Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.
18 Now when Simon saw that the Spirit was given through the laying on of the apostles\u2019 hands, he offered them money,
19 saying, \u201cGive me this power also, so that anyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.\u201d
20 But Peter said to him, \u201cMay your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!
21 You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God.
22 Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you.
23 For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

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Today\u2019s \u201cSimons\u201d in the Church<\/h3>\n

Many people today are like Simon:<\/p>\n