At the time that these verses were recorded in church history Saul, who later became Paul, was making havoc of the church. The last thing God’s people needed with someone like Simon who internally facilitated havoc. Simon’s case was a relapse into the old habits of mind and conduct. It was a recurrence of the old nature, a persistence of the old man that is to be abandoned at conversion. It is a constant check and double check for how the old nature reveals itself in so many ways. So that we might learn by Simon’s experience, let us make an examination of that old man nature
How does the Bible view the old man? (Romans 8:5) No matter how good we think of ourselves, there is a part of us that is off course. It reflects back to the original sin committed by Adam and Eve.(Verse 7) Since that time, every person inherited a wound to their souls. Something was wrong and has been wrong with all of us, with every single person to be born. The old nature of the person is a hindrance to their relationship with God. The old nature would rather barter with God than bow to God. Even though a person accepted Christ as his Savior, that lingering hindrance is still there for self to dominate. (Verse 11) As God sees our condition, we are in a miserable state. In every way possible each person has tried to make life according to their own dictates and has run into trouble every step of the way. Even the best of us, still relies on the old nature that interferes with that relationship with God. (Verse 23)
As in the case of Simon, and as in the case of each of us, the old man will be revealed. The situation is not one in which we can hide something behind our backs out of God’s sight. No matter how hard we try, that old nature will be revealed. It may come as a surprise to us, but that old nature will be revealed in many ways whether it be a hot temper, impatience with others, or overt sin. The reason this is the case is that self wants to draw attention to its own concerns, to its own ambitions. Self is not interested in coming in contact with the divine power to help others. Instead, self wants to demonstrate its own superiority over others regardless of their situation. (Versus 9,19) The carnal or old part of us only thinks of the present and immediate gratification when it comes to sin or waywardness. It would be a rare thing for a person who is operating out of their old nature to take into consideration the needs of others or the projection into the future of eternity. Just look again at the case of Simon. He focused on the shallow, superficial, and had limited thoughts beyond himself. This is a case of “me first”. You can see this in traffic when people cut in front of you or do not give you an opportunity to pull out of the driveway. At the grocery store, notice how people are so inclined to run their grocery carts over you on the way to retrieve something they want to buy.
Now that we have discussed the old man and what he is like, we must ask how the old man experiences being controlled. (Ephesians 4:22,23) Any born-again believer will say that he wants to have his old nature brought under control in favor of a better relationship with God. To do that we must have an active faith. It must be a faith that is nurtured and encouraged. It must be faith that is real. (Verse 13) It is foolish for anybody to think that all they need to do is for one-time to ask God for forgiveness because we all many times even in one day do commit sin. That’s why it’s so important to have regular, repeated acts of repentance to assure ourselves the closest experience with God.(Verse 22) Most important of all, we must return to God’s leadership and be sensitive when he provides it. Since God is omniscient, he knows everything, he doesn’t need to request anyone’s advice, he is able to effectively lead us into a better way of life.(Verse 24) It is with the preaching of the gospel the teaching of the kingdom, the recognition of the name of Jesus, that we can keep ourselves focused on what truly matters. It is then that believers will receive and obey the Word of God. It is then when each of us can self-examine where we stand with God and detect our intention to walk closer to him.
Christian Writer 