“Jesus said to him, [Satan] “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test,” Matthew 4:7
In this move of God, Ananias put the Lord to the test.
“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…” Acts 5:3
Satan wanted a seat of influence, a way into the community.
So Satan “filled” Ananias’ heart with an offer.
A promise of recognition, a position of significance and influence in the growing community. The offer was too good to pass up. He could gain that through a lie, “I gave it all.” In other words, “I did not hold back.”
A simple bit of deception, how bad could that be if it accomplishes our purpose, and besides, who would know?
What was the big deal anyway?
Money was given; what was the difference if he kept some for himself?
How could a lie be such a dangerous thing?
That is our challenge as well, maintaining our integrity in a world where a lie can seem so much more convenient.
We live in a world where truth is often inconvenient, when it is easier to slip in a little deception, a few partial truths to accomplish our purpose.
Ananias lied, he did not have to.
James warns us;
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:13-14
Paul also warns us,
“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
When we sow a lie, we sin, and we reap the consequences.
Lying to the Holy Spirit is a dangerous thing.
We must never forget that when the Holy Spirit is at work, in that place, “If you lie, you may die.”
In this move of God, Ananias put the Lord to the test.
“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…” Acts 5:3
Satan wanted a seat of influence, a way into the community.
So Satan “filled” Ananias’ heart with an offer.
A promise of recognition, a position of significance and influence in the growing community. The offer was too good to pass up. He could gain that through a lie, “I gave it all.” In other words, “I did not hold back.”
A simple bit of deception, how bad could that be if it accomplishes our purpose, and besides, who would know?
What was the big deal anyway?
Money was given; what was the difference if he kept some for himself?
How could a lie be such a dangerous thing?
That is our challenge as well, maintaining our integrity in a world where a lie can seem so much more convenient.
We live in a world where truth is often inconvenient, when it is easier to slip in a little deception, a few partial truths to accomplish our purpose.
Ananias lied, he did not have to.
James warns us;
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:13-14
Paul also warns us,
“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23
“Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Galatians 6:7
When we sow a lie, we sin, and we reap the consequences.
Lying to the Holy Spirit is a dangerous thing.
We must never forget that when the Holy Spirit is at work, in that place, “If you lie, you may die.”
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