MONDAY January 23, 2023
Lying to the Holy Spirit
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?”
Acts 5:3
Ananias and Sapphira were free moral agents. They could have given whatever they wanted to God, but no, they devised together a plan of hypocrisy. They willfully sinned against God by lying about the amount they gave. They knew what they were doing when they decided to keep back some of the money for themselves. They wanted to be stingy. God gave Peter a word of knowledge. He discerned Ananias was lying.
Ananias’ name means “God is gracious.” His wife’s name Sapphira means “beautiful.” This couple were both guilty of lying to the Holy Spirit––lying to God. However, the Lord was looking to extend His grace to Ananias and Sapphira. He was looking for true confession of sin and repentance.
God has forgiven us of our sins and called us to serve Him with a willing heart. There are no dos and don’ts. We have freedom in Christ; but listen, at the same time, if you use your freedom to sin, then you must answer to the consequences of your sin. You see, there is a law of sowing and reaping:
Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:7-8).
Sin is exciting; it is fun! That is why people sin; but after you have enjoyed sin for a season, the results of reaping are so painful. I have seen and talked with young people who have gotten involved in sexual sin, and the reaping to sin was terrible. Some women have decided to get an abortion. Others choose to give up their baby for adoption. The grandparents also suffer. Sin does not affect just one person. It will hurt and damage other people’s lives. Think before your carelessly sin. That is why we are called to live a life of holiness.
A little lie is like a pregnancy––it doesn’t take long
before everyone knows.
~C.S. Lewis~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
