Boasting

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

BOASTING

Acts 8:9-13

9 Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, 10 and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, "This man is the divine power known as the Great Power." 11 They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his magic. 12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

NIV

We are introduced to Simon here and there is more to this narrative, but for now, let us contend with this magic act of Simon. In Greek it is beforehand there was a man Simon who practiced magic in the city. He bewitched people, amazed,  and put them out of their wits. This word magic comes from the idea of an oriental scientist, a magician. From what we can gather, it was black magic, which was not from God, but rather came from either the evil one or simply the sleight of hand, an illusion. Whatever the source, his power did not come from God. However, when Philip arrived with the power of God, and the truth about Jesus, the people lost interest in Simon and turned their attention to Philip and believed and were baptized, even Simon believed. It is interesting that the truth will always trump an illusion. There are illusionists today, peddling their brand of religion, but for the most part simply used God to promote their own self-worth, as Simon did, boasting that he was someone great. Simon thought more highly of himself than he ought to, as many do today. It is interesting how boasting has become the favorite pastime of so many, especially with the advantage of social media. “look what I did”, “See how much I do” and “Aren’t I special?” “I have done great things”. Maybe not in those words, but that idea is expressed, so as to draw attention to themselves, rather than God. We are supposed to humble ourselves before God and be humble and gentle, being patient and bearing with one another in love. Simon was not humble, although he did evidentially believe, but we will see, he still wanted to be great. Let us be mindful and not boast of our deeds, or our position, or title, or abilities, but remain aware that it is God who works in all of us, and it is God who calls us to be a member of the body of Christ, each with our own task, but also supporting the tasks of all the other members, who each are as important as all the others. We are all the children of God, who does not show partiality but loves us all with equity. If we are to boast, we should boast in the Lord. Then, just maybe great signs and wonders will be seen, but if we continue, or are content to boast in ourselves, then we can be sure nothing truly great will happen in our lives.