Acts 5 lays out a very interesting story. It’s about a married couple, Ananias and Sapphira. These two were church goers. Said the right things and did the right things. The only problem is that when it came to backing up what they said, they were fake:
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. 3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? 4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”- Acts 5:1-4
Apparently this couple must have told the church they would give all they received from selling their possession, or Peter would not have confronted them about it. Here, Ananias sins by lying to the Holy Spirit. But he also has a deeper sin, and that is selfishness. He chooses to be fake so he can be selfish, and keep part of his profit for himself. This is a perfect example of what we all try to do, like God can’t see right through us. We put on a show, tell people what they want to hear, do things for ourselves. But deep inside there is a deeper sin, that is separating us from the close relationship that God cherishes with each of us. Here is the consequence:
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.” – Acts 5:5
The wages of sin is death. We know this means eternal seperation from God, and if we are saved we know we will be with Him forever, regardless of our sin. But would we practice a more fruitful life if this was how we were confronted by God when we blatently sin against Him? Seeing the mighty power of God, and what the consequences are for our sinfulness. The same result happens to Ananias’ wife later in the passage, and a “great fear came upon all those who hear it.” The word fear here isn’t a frightful fear, but a respectful, honoring fear. That’s the type of fear we should have for the Lord, each and every day. We should be respectful to everything He is. He has the power to do anything He pleases. He controls everything, and knows everything. We need to quit trying to feed our sinful flesh and try to work harder to be more like Christ. Are you lying to the Holy Spirit? Is their something in your life that He already knows about, but you are trying to hide. Remember Ananias. He sinned, but he had an even deeper sin, and for him that meant death. For Christians, our deeper sin means drawing away from God, and not experiencing His awesome plan and power in our lives. Pray that God will examine all our hearts, reveal to us our deeper sin, help us to focus on Him and be respectful to who He is in all we do.
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