TUESDAY January 24, 2023
The Conception of Sin
“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 5:4
Who was the enemy mentioned in Acts 5:3? Satan. Ananias submitted himself to Satan and allowed the conception of sin in his heart. He gave in to the enemy. Satan was able to entrap Ananias and his wife so they would lie to the Holy Spirit. Ananias had a conscience. I am sure the Holy Spirit was convicting him and his wife, but they ignored His promptings. They thought they would not get caught.
Ananias was lying through his teeth. The Holy Spirit revealed Ananias’ sin to Peter. God will give believers His wisdom and discernment. Do you think Ananias was shocked when Peter knew he was lying? I think so!
What else did Peter reveal? He revealed to Ananias that the Holy Spirit is God, equal with God. He was lying to God. The Trinity is God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Before God’s judgment came, a space of time was given for repentance. God will always give time for confession and repentance, so He can show a person His mercy and grace.
There are people who will raise their hands to the Lord, and you think they are genuinely worshiping the Lord and giving all the glory to God. Then you hear about them becoming a victim of their own circumstances. They were complete phonies and hypocrites. All they were doing was putting on a show before men.
Have you acted like Ananias? I believe there is still a lot of hypocrisy in the church. God wants you to worship Him in Spirit and truth (John 4:24), in reality. You have to be honest with God.
Let us be real, honest and sincere in our Christianity.
We cannot deceive an all-seeing God.
~J. C. Ryle~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
