Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there. When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said. For with shrieks, impure spirits came out of many, and many who were paralyzed or lame were healed. So there was great joy in that city. Now for some time a man named Simon had practiced sorcery in the city and amazed all the people of Samaria. He boasted that he was someone great, and all the people, both high and low, gave him their attention and exclaimed, “This man is rightly called the Great Power of God.” They followed him because he had amazed them for a long time with his sorcery. But when they believed Philip as he proclaimed the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself believed and was baptized. And he followed Philip everywhere, astonished by the great signs and miracles he saw.

–Parallel verses:
‭‭John‬ ‭4‬:‭21‬-‭24
“Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

This world is under the dominion of Satan, the Father of lies. Jesus, in talking to some of the evil Jewish rulers, said this: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (‭‭John‬ ‭8‬:‭44‬)

So it goes to reason that if we live in a world under the dominion of the father of lies, then it is hard to trust the things of this world to deliver what they promise. The Samaritans were following this sorcerer, Simon, and they pretty much worshiped him because he showed them exciting things.

But now real supernatural signs and miracles are being done by the power of God.  Furthermore, like the rest of the disciples, Phillip gave the credit to Jesus, instead of allowing himself to be elevated. This was attractive and had a realness to it.

Coming out of a world of broken promises and lying to get ahead, the truth is a powerful promise. So is the Spirit of God. Jesus not only converted many in that town on his visit documented in John, but he prophesied that the Holy Spirit would also come to them soon. And this was fulfilled in Phillip’s arrival.

So I must consider, how do I consistently worship in Spirit and in truth? I must recognize who God is and how much he has done for me. I must lay down my fears and worries at the feet of my Savior. And I must seek after him, and follow his ways first. This is the path to life in his Spirit. In regards to truth, we must confess our sins daily and seek to pull out the foundations or roots of sin in our lives. We replace this with God’s good fruit.

Lord, thank you that you are my Father, that you tell the truth and build into my heart truthfulness. May your Spirit dwell in me and fill me as I interact and move this week.  Open my eyes to see opportunities beyond my circumstances. Focus me on lost souls instead of my wants and needs.