GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM!

" For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." (Acts 8:23)(KJV)


                   This verse says a lot about sin. Many Christians judge one another and say that if you sin, you have not ever been saved. Here in this passage of scripture, Simon the sorcerer got saved and joined himself with the apostles. Samaria was a city where it was held captive by magical arts. Simon the Sorcerer was the head honcho, but a greater power came to that city. That power was so great that it shook the foundations of that city to the core. There were signs and wonders following that made Simon's magic trivial. 
                 This caused Simon to believe. He got saved and joined himself to the apostles, but his heart had issues. For example, the devil might have shown him what he lost when he joined himself to the apostles, which was his position and prestige! Most likely, Simon hid it with a smile, putting that thought to the back of his head. It is interesting what the Contemporary English version says---

 " I can see that you are jealous and bound by your evil ways." (Acts 8:23)
                      
              Simon entertained that thought. He become jealous over his loss of power and got bitter. Eventually, what he had pondered,came out of his mouth. Our Lord Jesus says that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh. (Matt 12:34) I, personally, don't believe he was impressed that much with tongues. I believe he saw the gifts of the spirit in motion. The gifts of faith and healing. The gifts of working of miracles. That old man resurrected in Simon and he wanted to buy that gift of tongues, because it was the gateway to miracles. He wanted to gain control and had selfish purposes!
                 Notice something that is noticeable. Because he was bitter, he was a prisoner of sin. There are some Christians that are prisoners of sin and cannot stop sinning. They keep on committing the same sins time after time. They may have temporary victory, but they eventually fall. Why? Bitterness has them bound. Hurts in our lives can be a root of bitterness, that is why there is a great need of spiritual healing in the body of Christ. Letting go of the past with its hurts can be hard for many. 
         We must guard our hearts. Jealousy and bitterness go hand in hand. In this day, ask God to show your heart. You may not like what you see, but, I assure you that if you get to the root of the problem, you will walk in victory and be used of God in a mighty way.