[The Glory Unveiled]
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.” ( Acts 8 :18-19 )
The apostles were working miracles by the power of God and then came a man by the name Simon, who thought he could buy the anointing of God with money. In verse 21, the apostle Peter made a profound statement. He said that the heart of Simon was not right so he could not partake in the miraculous ministry. Like Simon in the text above who was denied the anointing, many Believers profess “genuine” hunger for the anointing and the miraculous workings of the Holy Spirit but underneath that euphoric expression of “true passion and desire”, is a thick layer of misplaced motivation. The driving force for their desire is mostly self gratification. They want to be recognized and celebrated so that people would know that they too have the power of God upon them. Maybe our situation may not be of same grandness but no matter how small or hidden the ulterior motive is, it will be the reason for our denial into the realm of the supernatural. Admission into the supernatural workings of God demands that our motives are refined by the word of God and a sincere love for God and humanity. But until that happens, self gratification and glorification will be the ultimate end which will be our own ends as well. Let us examine our motives for desiring the things of God, is it for the expansion of God’s kingdom and influence or for our own selfish gains?
Prayer_Bead: Lord of all creation and generations, thank you for your word. Search me o Lord and know my thoughts, try me and know my motives, help my motives for desiring to do your work.
#GNews: Unveiling the glory of God.