TOXIC LOOK-ALIKES

From 'Our Daily Bread'
Acts 8:9-23 talks about Simon and how he practiced sorcery. How he boasted of being someone great.
People had followed him because he had amazed them for so long. When Philip preached about Jesus and the kingdom of God, the people believed him as did Simon. The people were baptized as was Simon. When Peter and John showed up, they prayed for the people that they may recieve the Holy Spirit. Simon seen this and offered money to recieve the Holy Spirit. Then Peter answered: "May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money!"
It goes on to say that Simon's heart is not right with God.
v23~Peter said, "Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps He will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin."


****Some people look like toxic plants. They look harmless, and they blend in with people who, like roses, are fragant and beautiful. Like poison ivy among roses, they cause misery. Everyone needs to avoid contact with such a person as Simon. Spiritual look-alikes appear to be good, but their "fruit" is toxic.