Acts 8: Spirit and Simon

"I love the thought of coming home to you" but do we come home to God though?

There are only two spirits: the Holy Spirit and Satanic spirits
There are two forces but they are a mismatch. God is not in a battle, He is reigning.
God permits Satan to cause chaos on Earth but He is still sovereign.

1. What is this sorcery?

It's not of God but it is impressive. Satan masquerades as what he's not.
Simon was doing something impressive.

2. Was Simon a Christian?

Simon appeared to be sincere.
People can be converted to church or to good moral behaviour or to a certain theology. Are you converted to Christ?
This is counterfeit. The evidences can be found in v20 - 'perish', v22 - 'perhaps' and v23.

3. Is believing enough?

Yes and no - it depends what you mean.
Nodding in agreement to doctrines isn't enough. Satan knows who Jesus is but that doesn't save him.
You may believe in your head but you need the life of God (see Romans 3v22)
Jesus saves through faith not on the basis of faith - even faith is a gift of God and a means of saving.

4. What's it got to do with us?

Every heretic has a Bible verse.
Keep hold of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility.

Simon overvalued money.
Christians let the Devil in when they choose their darling sins all the time.
Simon wanted status and significance (v19) He was famous before he met Philip.

2 Corinthians 5v15 - we no longer live for ourselves - do we really?
Galatians 2:20 - I have been crucified with Christ - really?
You can be effective in church and yet be serving yourself.

Hebrews 5:14 - "solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."

v24 - Simon is afraid but there's no record of him praying or repenting.
We to deal with God on our own. Simon avoids the burning issue by not repenting.

Are you repenting?

Psalm 71:3 - Be my rock of refuge, to which I can always go

Don't be soft on sin and kid yourself that you're being big on grace