Simon the Sorcerer and Spiritual Weed Part 2

Simon the Sorcerer and Spiritual Weed Part 2

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. Acts 8:9

As the wonderful and scholarly Pastor and Bible instructor Warren Wiersbe once said, “What Satan could not accomplish through destruction he here sought to accomplish through deception.”

As you recall, this was the case with Simon the sorcerer in Acts chapter 8. The Bible declares that he bewitched the people, and as a result, he was able to deceive and manipulate them with power derived from the devil/Satan.

My heart and hope for this week’s blog are to assist you in your scrutinization of what I denote as the spiritual Simons that seek to seduce and deceive us.

Spiritual seduction, from a faith framework, characteristically connects to deceptive influences—physically, emotionally, and spiritually—that carry Christians away from a genuine and God-centered relationship with our Lord and God Jesus Christ. Often these insolent influences (people, places, and things) initially appear attractive or basking in a benign light.

2 Corinthians 11:13-14 – For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils.

Proverbs 20:1 – Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

The following are some common forms of “Spiritual Simons” that seek to seduce the saints/Christians:

  • False Teachings and Doctrines that twist the truth of Scripture to propagate prosperity gospel and personal programs over the Word of truth. In addition, they reject cornerstone Christian truths and biblical foundations of faith (e.g., the virgin birth, atonement, resurrection, and the incarnation).

  • New Age/Mysticism or Occult Practices. Spiritual Simons champion a chaotic and satanic syncretism of Christianity with astrology, crystals, witchcraft, tarot, or energy healing. The hellish heart is to seek spiritual experiences outside the Word of God and the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

  • Idolatry. Spiritual Simons seek to set up and energize the idol factory (the human head and heart). Such as money, power, success, relationships, insubordinate emotions, and even service or ministry to the Lord. In addition, spiritual Simons will whip up worship for created things rather than the Creator.

  • Compromise with Worldly Ethics is accentuated by Spiritual Simons, leading their seduced subjects to be compliant with cultural norms that contradict biblical principles. Check out the following list of ideologies that will make one’s life with Christ ill or sicken spirituality:

    • Atheism – Denies the existence of God and spiritual beliefs central to Christianity.

    • Marxism – Advocates for class struggle and materialism, often opposing religious institutions.

    • Secular Humanism – Emphasizes human reason and ethics without reliance on religious doctrine.

    • Nihilism – Rejects all religious and moral principles, often leading to a sense of meaninglessness.

    • Relativism – Suggests that truth and morality are subjective, conflicting with absolute Christian truths.

I encourage you to make some time for me next week as we continue to scrutinize the Spiritual Simons that seek to seduce us.

Not a sermon, just some thoughts.
FtGG

Sarah King