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? …. How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord?” Acts5.3,9
June 6, 2022
“Do you solemnly swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?… So help you God?” Violation of this promise in a court of law can result in perjury. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was especially serious. They had sold some property and pretended to have given the entire amount to the church to help the poor. They are said to have lied to the Holy Spirit and on top of that tested the Spirit. They tested the Lord to see how much they could get away with before He judged them. They were cold-blooded hypocrites, and they paid the price. God struck them down dead on the spot. Pretended generosity, looking for the praise of their fellow believers. We live in a world of lies. People lie like they breath. Lies are used to “slip the noose of accountability.” Lies are used as weapons to attack others (e.g., “You’ve never amounted to anything, and you never will.”). Do we use lies to achieve our goals? The Spirit of the living God, who works to establish a good conscience, is to be honored by telling the truth. As God the Spirit, He knows everything. We can’t fool Him. H
A time to think: “Dear Lord, keep me from descending into the darkness of arrogance by attacking your truthfulness.”