Tag Archives: magic

THE GOSPEL OF LUKE – REACTIONS TO JESUS

Bible Study, ,

REACTIONS TO JESUS

“Jesus delivered a man from a demon that had kept him speechless. The demon gone, the man started talking a blue streak, taking the crowd by complete surprise. But some from the crowd were cynical. ‘Black magic,’ they said. ‘Some devil trick He’s pulled from His sleeve.’ Others were sceptical, waiting around for Him to prove Himself with a spectacular miracle.” Luke 11:14-16.

Why was it that people reacted to Jesus’ miracles of mercy by attributing them to demons? Is the human mind so warped that good is so unrecognisable that it must be interpreted as something the devil does? Was this the influence of the religious leaders of His day, that they were perverted enough to refuse to acknowledge the work of God in healing and restoring broken people?

Perhaps experiencing the goodness of God was foreign to them and they could not accept the character of the God Jesus was revealing to them. They kept asking for more ‘signs’ instead of seeing God in the ones Jesus was doing all the time. Because of their unbelief, no amount of signs would convince them that God is good.

What about me? What does it take to make me aware of the goodness of God in the ordinary events of my life? Part of the repentance that must be ongoing in my life is to change my mind about who is in charge of the circumstances of my life. That does not mean that God makes bad things happen. It does mean that God uses every experience, good or bad, to reveal Himself to me and to reshape my reactions and my character to be more like Jesus.

It’s entirely up to me to choose how I will view my everyday experiences – whether I see them as devil-inspired and spend my time rebuking him(!) or whether I recognise the hand of my God working in all things for my good and conforming me to the image of His Son (Romans 8:28,29).

In this process of becoming a disciple, I am learning to think God’s thoughts instead of my own. The Apostle Paul calls it ‘renewing my mind’. I become what I think. If I think that the devil is pushing me around, I will be fearful, sceptical and insecure, but if I know that God is in charge, working everything for my good, I will have peace and security in Him. Stress will be exchanged for rest and unbelief for trust.

Goodness in the world has only one source, the God who is good. Evil in the world is not from God but He uses it to do His work in His children and to reveal His glory against the dark backdrop of sin on the canvas He is painting. 102

THE BOOK OF ACTS – SIMON THE SORCERER

Bible Study, ,

SIMON THE SORCERER

“Previous to Philip’s arrival, a certain Simon had practised magic in the city, posing as a famous man and dazzling all the Samaritans with his wizardry. He had them all, from little children to old men, eating out of his hand. They all thought he had supernatural powers and called him “The Great Wizard.” He had been around a long time and everyone was more or less in awe of him.

“But when Philip came to town announcing the news of God’s kingdom and proclaiming the name of Jesus Christ, they forgot Simon and were baptized, becoming believers right and left! Even Simon himself believed and was baptized. From that moment he was like Philip’s shadow, so fascinated with all the God-signs and miracles that he wouldn’t leave Philip’s side.” Acts 8:9-13 (The Message).

What was it about Philip and his message that caught Simon’s attention? He was a con man and was used to getting people’s attention and keeping them mesmerized by his trickery. His ego fed off the power and popularity he enjoyed, knowing full well that he was a fraud but basking in the control and wealth he gained through his lies.

When Philip interrupted his run of success, he probably thought he was just another con man like himself with superior skills that he needed to learn. So, having lost the popularity and interest of the people, he joined the new following in the hopes of learning the secret of Philip’s power. He shadowed Philip to find out how he did it. His real motive for becoming a believer did not surface until Peter and John arrived to find out what was going on in Samaria.

“When the apostles in Jerusalem received the report that Samaria had accepted God’s message, they sent Peter and John down to pray for them to receive the Holy Spirit. Up to this point they had only been baptized in the name of the Master Jesus; the Holy Spirit hadn’t yet fallen on them. Then the apostles laid their hands on them and they did receive the Holy Spirit.” Acts 8:14-17 (The Message).

The scene was set for Simon to reveal his true colours. He was jubilant. He had seen for himself the secret of the power that Philip had and he had seen how he could be a part of the elite group who could dispense that power to whoever wanted it. This was better than he had ever dreamed possible!

“When Simon saw that the apostles by merely laying on hands, conferred the Spirit, he pulled out his money, excited, and said, ‘Sell me your secret! Show me how you did that! How much do you want? Name your price!'” Acts 8:18-19 (The Message).

Simon’s reaction revealed that his greedy heart had never been changed. He was still being motivated by the lust for power and money. He was willing to use his money for the opportunity to buy more power so that he could earn more money! That’s it! Bottom line!

How often Jesus used people’s attitude to money and possessions as the acid test of their inner life! The rich man who came to Him to find out what he had to do to earn eternal life was disillusioned when he was told that it was his money that stood between him and Jesus, and he walked away. Zaccheus, on the other hand, experienced true salvation which he evidenced by his attitude to his money and possessions. “‘Look Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor…'” Luke 19:8b (NIV). Only a changed heart can touch our pockets!

We either hold and use our money as a servant or we are held and used by it as slaves. Simon’s heart was exposed. His god was Mammon, and not even “belief” and “baptism” had changed him. Who or what reigns in your heart?

THEY OVERCAME BY THE BLOOD

Christian Life, ,

Our theme for this week is an opportunity to clarify some misunderstandings that might have crept into our belief system by unthinkingly copying what other people say or teach.

It is a good idea rather to follow the example of the Bereans in Acts 17:11 who were more open-minded than the Thessalonians and who searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.

Sadly, there are many true believers who erroneously think that the blood of Jesus is a sort of “magic” protection against all kinds of ills and reverses in life. I have even listened to prayers that make my blood “curdle” like “soaking our families in the blood of Jesus” or “covering our houses or cars with the blood of Jesus”!

No, my brothers and sisters, Jesus did not shed His blood to save our home, cars, property or even our families from the calamities that are a part of life in a fallen world. God promised that He would be with us and that He is able, in all things to work for our good. Trials of all kinds are God’s gracious way of teaching us to trust Him.

Jesus shed His blood as an atoning sacrifice for our sins so that we no longer owe God an unpayable debt. His blood forgives, cleanses and reconciles us to the Father.

What do you make of our verse for this month, then: They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony…?(Rev.12:11)

Paul adequately clarifies this Scripture for us in Col. 2:14-15 (NLT), He cancelled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, He disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by His victory over them on the cross.

Jesus’ death exposed the devil as a fraudster, liar and deceiver and His resurrection proved that He, not Satan, is Lord.

When Satan accuses you of sin and holds up your past to disqualify you from God’s love, the blood of Jesus is your undeniable proof that Satan is lying. You have been forgiven; you have been reconciled to the Father – Jesus’ blood is the evidence; you have received mercy – Jesus’ blood speaks a better word than the blood of Abel; you have been brought near by the blood of Jesus.

That’s how you overcome Satan – by the truth of what the death of Jesus achieved…and God’s peace in your heart is the testimony that you are no longer a slave but a son.