The physician Luke wrote, “when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 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. But Peter said unto him, Your money perish with you, because you have thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you”, and in chapter eight and verse twenty-three of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter told Simon, “I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness” where we read:
For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.
The verse begins, “For I perceive that you are in the gall of bitterness, ...” Luke began with the words, “for I perceive” which means “because, since and on account that I, Peter, discern, clearly see and behold” “that you are in the gall” or “that you, Simon, exist within the bile and poison” “of bitterness” which means “pertaining to extreme wickedness and hatred”. Luke shared how “Peter” discerned that “Simon” was entering into the “poison of extreme wickedness and hatred”.
The verse continues, “... and in the bond of iniquity.”. Luke added the words, “and in the bond” which means “and within the control, band and joint tie” “of iniquity” or “pertaining to injustice, unrighteousness and deeds violating law and justice”. Luke shared how “Peter” also told “Simon” he was in the “control” of “unrighteousness and violating deeds”.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” continued his rebuke of “Simon” by telling him that his thinking and desires were like the “poison of wickedness and hatred” as well as the “control of unrighteousness”. “Simon” needed correction, and although he believed and trusted in Jesus as his personal “Savior”, his “thinking” need to be altered. “Simon” was on a path of living in a wicked and unrighteous manner, and he needed to know it. “Peter” confronted him, and we will see how he responds in our next verse. God loves people, and He is willing to forgive them, grant them everlasting life and correct them when their “thoughts and ways” are wrong. Let all who read these words yield to the Lord in every area of their lives.
Next time Luke shares how Simon tells Peter, “Pray to the Lord for me”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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