Acts 8:22
Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
Acts 8:22
Peter’s call to repentance and prayer for forgiveness addresses the core issue: the heart’s wickedness isn’t abstract; it requires turning away from sin and toward God. The language echoes prophetic calls in Scripture to repentance as the path to forgiveness. Simon’s craving for power is entangled with a self-centered heart, and the remedy is a sincere turning from that heart’s deception toward God’s mercy.
Repentance is not optional for Christians; it is ongoing, especially when confronted with sin that corrupts mission and fellowship. God’s readiness to forgive is anchored in Christ’s atonement and the believer’s response in faith and repentance.
Reflect on areas of stubbornness or self-interest in your life. Bring them before God in prayer, seeking forgiveness and renewed alignment with His will. If you’ve contributed to or benefited from unhealthy power dynamics, seek reconciliation and restore trust with others in your community.
Cross-References: Acts 3:19; 2 Chronicles 7:14; 1 John 1:9; Luke 15:11-32