Tag: lie to God
Dangerous Holy Ground!
Scripture reading for April 20th: 1st Samuel 1-3, Psalm 120, Acts 5
Acts 5:3-6 “But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.” When Ananias heard these words, he fell down and breathed his last. And great fear came upon all who heard of it. The young men rose and wrapped him up and carried him out and buried him.”
Life in the early church was exciting. Many people were repenting and being saved and the church was growing. Collections were received to help needy people and meet the needs of the workers. One couple sold some land and then brought part of the proceeds of the land while representing what they had given as all of it. With a word of knowledge, Peter questioned Ananias about his deceit. He then told him he had not lied just to man, but to God. At this God’s judgment fell upon him and he died. His wife suffered the same fate. This caused holy fear in the church and further church growth, the opposite of what you might think! Holiness is not optional and God knows each heart.
Psalm 120:1-2 “In my distress I called to the Lord, and He answered me. Deliver me, O Lord, from lying lips, from a deceitful tongue.” (Song of Ascents–sung by Israelites as they began the climb to the temple mount for the feasts and sacrifice)
Prayer: Father God, even reading of this account of judgment in the early church brings me holy fear and heart searching. Forgive me for any showmanship or deceitfulness before You or Your Church. Guard my heart from lying lips and give me clear discernment of my own heart and of those that I worship with and help watch over. You are righteous in all You do and holiness befits Your people. It is not optional!
1st Samuel 3:11-13 “Then the Lord said to Samuel, “Behold, I am about to do a thing in Israel at which the two ears of everyone who hears it will tingle. On that day I will fulfill against Eli all that I have spoken concerning his house, from beginning to end. And I declare to him that I am about to punish his house forever, for the iniquity that he knew, because his sons were blaspheming God, and He did not restrain them.”
Lying to God is dangerous!
Scripture reading for November 6th: Acts 5-7
Lying is a sin and one God’s ten commandments. (Exodus 20:16) God hates a lying tongue! (Proverbs 6:17-19) Lying breaks relationships, marriages, homes, and even churches! A lying tongue hates the one it hurts! (Proverbs 26:28) A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will perish! (Proverbs 19:9) The devil is a liar and can speak only one language: “LIE!” (John 8:44)
The Book of Acts records the history of the early church from just before the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome. Very early in the history of the new church, Luke writes to tell us the story of a couple who told a lie that cost them very dearly. This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5:1-16.
The lie that this couple told was a lie of omission. They sold some of their property and made an offering to the Apostles for the use of the church. The price of the property was more than what they gave, but they told the Apostles that they gave all the money to the Lord when they had kept some back for themselves. Now it wasn’t wrong not to give it all. It was only wrong to lie about what they had given. Scripture doesn’t say why they did this. Whatever the reason, we only have the startling results!
“Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men, but to God.”” “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what happened.” (Acts 5:3-5)
This should make each one of us think and evaluate our own hearts and giving. We need mercy more than ever! This is a New Testament story to warn God’s people that dealing with God is serious business! Amazingly, the church grew and many souls were added after this judgment! The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Truth!