In Matt. 7:15-23, Jesus warns very sternly that many who think they are “saved” will in fact learn in the end that they were only deceived.  Even those who perform great works, cast out demons, and even perform great signs are not worthy of God’s Kingdom.  Men who devoted their entire lives to religion look very much like Jesus’ sheep, but in reality, they’re only wolves in sheep’s clothing (cf. Matt. 7:15).

Simon was one of these wolves.  He professed his belief, was baptized, left behind his life of magic, and followed in the footsteps of Philip (cf. 8:13).  Surely this man was a born again believer, right?  Not so fast.  Just like a Pharisee, Simon had mastered the outward appearances.  He followed the crowd; he continued doing what would impress the people around him.  He had found people who could do more amazing things than he could do, and he wanted to learn their tricks.  In verse 18, Simon reveals his heart – he wants to trade money for the Kingdom of God, as if it can be bought.

Jesus constantly warned us that as we take the Gospel out to the world, some will receive it and trade their life for a new life, but some will reject the message.  There will be wheat, but there will be tares (Matt. 13:24-30).  There will be soil which receives the seed and produces fruit, but there will be soil that is too hard, soil that is too weedy, soil that is destroyed by the enemy (Lk. 8:4-15).  Some branches will abide in the Vine, though many will fall off and be burned (Jn. 15:1-11).

Where did Simon go wrong?  As MacArthur points out, Simon was deceived in several different areas.

1)      Simon had a very high view of himself.  Simon made a living out of impressing people around Samaria.  In fact, Samarians called Simon the Great Power of God.  Philip’s message wasn’t redemption from sin and death, but an even more impressive show to amaze his customers.  Simon didn’t follow Philip so he might find new life, but so he could learn new wonders and make even more money.  This becomes evident when he attempts to buy the Spirit-giving ability (vv. 18-19).  Pride was the undoing of this man, and has kept billions of people from the Kingdom of God, the road to which is paved in humility.

2)      Simon did not understand salvation.  As a man who made his living from impressing people, Simon needed to stay in touch with his following.  As Philip came in with a new message, stealing the people away from his shows with greater and more impressive signs and wonders, Simon needed to learn how to perform these greater tasks.  In his mind, if he followed Philip’s rituals, was baptized and followed after Philip, he would soon be a master of these new tricks.  Salvation for Simon was nothing more than a ritualistic route to more money and more followers.

3)      Simon had an improper understanding of the Spirit.  In Simon’s mind, the Spirit was simply a new branch of magic.  Simon had several tricks which he had learned, and the apostles now came with newer and more impressive stunts.  As Philip went around laying hands on people and the Spirit fell upon them, Simon assumed that this was one more trick that he could buy, one more trick with which he could impress the masses.  He had no idea that the Spirit was God himself, come to dwell in the bodies of those who believed and obeyed.

4)      Finally, Simon had an incorrect view of sin.  Peter wasted no time in confronting Simon’s heresy.  Peter rebukes the man, urging him to seek forgiveness from the Lord, if still possible.  But Simon refuses to seek forgiveness and returns to his practices in magic.  Clearly Simon didn’t believe sin was a horrid rebellion which eternally separates man from God.

Men and women today who claim to be Christians are deceived in the same ways as Simon.  The most frightening truth for the Christian was told to us by Jesus, “Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name cast out demons, and in your name perform many miracles?’  And I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you who practice lawlessness.’”

We must do as Paul urges in 2 Cor. 13:5, “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves!”  We must always have in us the attitude which also was in Christ (cf. Phil. 2:5ff).  We must live pure and blameless lives (cf. Phil. 2:15), above reproach (cf. Phil. 2:15; 1 Tim. 5:7), obeying everything that Jesus has commanded us to do (cf. Matt. 28:20; Jn. 14:15; 14:21; 15:10; 1 Jn. 5:3), and teaching everyone around us to do the same (cf. Matt. 28:20).  If these statements don’t define us as individuals then we most likely are deceived by the same Enemy that kept Simon from the Kingdom.

For those who truly wish to test their faith, following are some questions to start with.  Obviously, the answers will only do you good if answered honestly.  Paul urges us to remove the wicked man from among us (cf. 1 Cor. 5:13), because a little leaven leavens the whole loaf (cf. Gal. 5:9).  Sin will not be tolerated within the Church, and we must begin by removing it from our own lives and then encourage one another to do the same.

Simon’s life was an example of a deceived man who refused to repent.  Throughout Scripture there are great illustrations of deceived men who repent and find new life.  Being deceived and confronted with Truth is a sin already forgiven through the cross.  Being confronted with the Truth and refusing to change is a sin upon which the whole wrath of God will be unleashed.

The Spirit is preparing a holy and pure bride.  May we each join Him in this exciting part of history!

Testing Questions

·         Do I spend more time building personal wealth or building the Kingdom of God?

·         Do I spend more money building a collection of stuff or building the Kingdom of God?

·         Do I find more pleasure and excitement in the world’s entertainment industries (e.g. movies, television, video games, sporting events) or in refining myself and training and encouraging others to live godly lives?

·         Is “going to church” something I do because it’s what religious people do on Sundays and I want to look impressive to other religious people, or do I long for deep fellowship and worship every single day with other excited believers?

·         Do I know and use the Word of God more accurately and more frequently than the words to the songs I sing or the movies I quote?

·         Is it at all possible that I, like Simon, merely follow a religion to boost my pride and impress my friends, all the while exchanging the truth of God for a lie, the Life of Christ for the death of sin?  Am I simply deceived?

·         Are you so confident in your answers that you would expose your checkbook and your calendar to your Church?  Would the way you spend your life leave Christ saying, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” or, “I never knew you; depart from me you who practice lawlessness!”?