He offered them money and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit” (Acts 8:19).

Clickbait.  Hopefully most of us know what that is.  It’s those little messages, pictures, or stories that pop up, promising some amazing story or miraculous tip.  Just click here and all will be revealed.  Clickbait seems like a problem that just popped up (no pun intended) in the digital age.  But the idea that there’s a secret tip, hidden knowledge, or mysterious power that can instantly change our lives is nothing new.

Even in the Acts, we see the example of “clickbait”.  I imagine Simon pitching his sorcery like some obnoxious web ad, promising power for just a few gold coins.  I see the false spirit inhabiting the enslaved girl (Acts 16) stringing people along with its prophesies, click after click, the allure of true answers just out of reach. 

We’re told many people heaped prestige on Simon, or paid gold for the prophecies of the false spirit.  But we also see how, when presented with the truth of the Holy Spirit, these people turned towards Jesus and embraced the Good News. 

As savvy as I think I am on the Internet, I still occasionally fall for clickbait.  And as much as I look to Jesus to help me navigate this world, the false promises of this world always seek to distract me. 

But I remind myself that the gift of the Holy Spirit is not a promise to make my life easier. It’s not a simple trick that will make me rich.  And it’s not a magical force that’ll protect me from harm.  Even when I make room for Jesus in my heart, I am still going to feel sad sometimes. I’m still going to get angry and frustrated.  I’m going to have moments where I feel lost or let down by this world.  

The Holy Spirit is not a “thing” or a force; the Spirit is God’s Personal Presence in and with Christ’s people.  The Spirit is a gift from Jesus to help me navigate the ups and the downs of this world. The gift of the Spirit keeps me supernaturally centered when circumstances suggest I should be hiding under my covers – or doom-scrolling through more and more clickbait.   The gift of the Spirit, Christ with me and in me, is a gift that leads me to honestly share my faith with others and be a witness for the Truth of Jesus. 

Unlike false prophecies or sneaky sorcerers, the gift of the Holy Spirit is genuine and enduring.  Pick a spot in your life this week where there doesn’t seem to be any quick answer or easy fix.  Find space to open yourself up to the presence of the Holy Spirit and be more aware of where that gift is guiding you.