Running on Faith Weekday Devotions – Wednesday October 19, 2022:
Acts 5:1–5 “a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira (both believers), sold a piece of property, & kept back some of the price for himself, …, & bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Peter said, ‘Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit & to keep back some of the price of the land?
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not 1under your control? Why is it that you have 2conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.
While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
A few lessons:
- Lying is a sin; it’s serious business!
- Peter didn’t say, “That’s ok, you’re only ‘exaggerating’…
- They weren’t required to give all the proceeds. Therefore, there were no negative consequences for the truth.
- “How is it…?” implies that Satan gained control because Ananias sought to justify a previous sin in his life.
- Satan helps you justify sin.
- The Holy Spirit convicts you of sin for repentance. (c.f. Luke 18:9-17)