Act 8:18-24 | Family

Acts 8:18-24

This power; he supposed that, should he receive it, he might enrich or exalt himself. Thy money perish; a strong expression of abhorrence of his selfishness, criminality, and danger. In this matter; in the blessings of the gospel, and the work in which Peter and John were engaged. Men may greatly displease God in their thoughts, as well as in their words and actions. Each one should therefore keep his heart with all diligence, and pray, "Cleanse thou me from secret faults," as well as, "Keep me back from presumptuous sins;" that not only the words of his mouth, but the meditations of his heart may be acceptable in the sight of God our strength and Redeemer. The gall of bitterness--the bond of iniquity; in the most loathsome bondage to sin. Men whose great object is self-exaltation have very erroneous views of the nature of true religion, and of the character of those who possess it; when many profess religion, such men sometimes unite with them, but afterwards by their conduct show that their professions were false, and that they have no love to the gospel, and no part in its blessings. None of these things; the punishments threatened.