Simony is the act of selling church offices and roles or sacred things. It is named after Simon Magus aka Simon the Magician, who is described in Acts 8 as having offered two disciples of Jesus payment in exchange for their empowering him to impart the power of the Holy Spirit to anyone on whom he would place his hands. The term extends to other forms of trafficking for money in “spiritual things”.

The appointment of ecclesiastical officials, such as bishops and abbots, by a secular authority came to be considered simoniacal and this became a key issue during the Investiture Controversy.

Information derived from Wikipedia.

Simon the Magician is not mentioned in the remaining books of our bible. His reputation was noted by more secular writers. Those secular writings are not inspired by God nor included in scripture. We have to expect a certain amount of secular interference with truth. Only the Word of God is true.

Do we need to know the path taken by Simon the Magician and use that information as a warning of avoidance?

Look within our own hearts for motives attached to actions. If we are walking in the way, following the leading of the Holy Spirit, course corrections are expected. Seeking answers on the wayward path will lead us far enough away from the Way that finding our way back may become difficult.

Discipleship training intentionally avoids looking into the well-worn path of the dissident, rebellious and disillusioned. Training is confined to the way we should go, avoiding those bunny trails that can only lead to confusion.

1 Corinthians 14:33 English Standard Version (ESV) For God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints,