Gall of Bitterness
Gall of Bitterness
“For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.”
Acts 8:23
A double dose of bitterness for sure for Simon.
As Luke writes in the verse above, he is writing about Simon (the sorcerer) and Simons interaction with the disciple Peter. Simon witnessed Peter perform miracles of healing and watched as Peter had the Holy Ghost in him. Simon was a magician who thought he could buy the Holy Ghost that the other disciples had been freely given because of their faith in Christ.
“But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.”
Acts 8:9-11
Simon thought salvation and the Holy Spirit could be purchased and this enraged Peter. So much so, that he called him out for it. In verse 20 through 23 Peter tells Simon that his heart is not right with God and that he should repent and make his heart right. He told him he was full of bitterness and iniquity.
As Simon watched Peter and John the Baptist, he watched them give people the Holy Spirit and the ability to perform miracles. Simon didn’t realize that this was given to them by God, because they were doing God’s work with the right heart.
“And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money, saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 8:18-19
We can approach things with the wrong heart at times. As much as “we” feel we are doing good, it may not be in the will of God. If we are truly walking with God, we will know whether our intentions are true, or altering in motive.
What we want isn’t always what God wants. And when we circumvent the will of God for our desires, the outcome may not be what we thought. It could even be disastrous.
Our money will not go to heaven with us. Our power, stature and standing won’t either. The names we can drop and the people we know, won’t make a difference in front of God.
“But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”
Acts 8:20-21
Simon the magician wanted the power that only God has. He wanted the power to put the Holy Ghost into those who believe. Simon thought about this in all the wrong ways. He believed he could do what only God can do.
Only when we come to the conclusion that we are to serve and love our God. Not replace Him. Only then will we realize the full potential and power of the Holy Spirit within us.
Peter prayed for Simon and went on to preach the gospel in the name of Jesus Christ.
God will know your heart and hear your prayers.
“Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me. And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans.”
Acts 8:24-25