Have you ever heard of “Simon the Sorcerer”? This man was a character that you can read about in chapter 8 of Acts: “But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practised sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time” (Acts 8:9-11).

The context is that the people of Samaria suffered foreign influence for many centuries and mixed Jewish beliefs with those of other peoples. They were even considered “inferior,” a people who deviated from the Jewish faith.

We see a man, Simon, dominating an entire city. And it wasn’t just with the unwary; it was with everyone in the city.

This shows us something significant: when people stop believing in the Only God, they start believing in anything.

I had an experience with this in London, England. It is a country that is traditionally Christian, but it’s becoming cold. And due to the influence of the media, the culture of the British is to not discuss religion. They didn’t want to talk about faith. However, a mixed exhibition began yearly in London, with several sorcerers from different creeds exhibiting. People attending the exhibition were able to consult with the sorcerers who were there. They didn’t believe in Jesus but they did believe in crystals and cards. This is sad because it is God who saves us from idolatry.

When you move away from God, you automatically become an idolater. Because God has left His place in your life, something else will occupy first place instead.

In Samaria, we see the result of this departure from faith as people cease to relate to God.

You need to open your understanding. They say, “All roads lead to God.” Take the Presidente Dutra Motorway and see if you can get to Rio Grande do Sul.

“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me”” (John 14:6).

And Samaria gave its soul to a man, a liar who used it to enrich himself.

Later, we will see what happened to “Simon the Sorcerer” in the Bible.

Watch the video above.