Lies' Destruction

Daily Reading: Acts 5

Scripture Focus: Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit? (Act 5.3)

Devotional Thought: One does not have to be a scholar of world history to know that many great nations are destroyed by internal strife and not by the enemy from outside the nation; sadly, we are seeing that today in our own nation where honesty and civility have been cast aside. Telling the truth is just one option, and not telling the truth, if it helps your cause, is another option.

In Acts chapter 5, the church is being attacked both internally and externally. We conclude that Ananias and Sapphira were part of the believing church, but we learn they were more interested in looking good than telling the truth. How generous of them to give so much money, in fact all of it, from selling their land! Except they didn't. They kept back part. They lied about it. Doesn't it beg the question “how did they think they could lie to God and get away with it?” They didn't understand the true nature of a God that is sinless. The god they were listening to rather enjoyed lies. Ultimately, they were called into account.

Sometimes, as in this case, God's answer and judgment are immediate and severe. At other times, when it appears no

one noticed our lie, we believe another lie: that we got away with it. Except we didn't. The lie is not erased, and we stand in judgment until confession is made to our loving, but Holy God. From the beginning, lies have been a powerful tool of Satan. We often prepare the ground for those lies with envy, greed and other deceptions of the heart. When God, in his wisdom, made a dramatic example of Ananias and Sapphira, he demonstrated how seriously he views lies, for the destroy both lives and congregations.

Joanne and Larry Powell

Prayer: Father, thank you that we have your word to live by and for the indwelling presence of your Holy Spirit to convict us when we turn our eyes away from your truth. Give us courage to confess our failures and faith to receive your forgiveness. Amen.

Psalm of the Day: 28 Summon your power, O God, the power, O God, by which you have worked for us. 29 Because of your temple at Jerusalem kings shall bear gifts to you. 30 Rebuke the beasts that dwell among the reeds, the herd of bulls with the calves of the peoples. Trample underfoot those who lust after tribute; scatter the peoples who delight in war. 31 Nobles shall come from Egypt; Cush shall hasten to stretch out her hands to God. 32 O kingdoms of the earth, sing to God; sing praises to the Lord, Selah 33 to him who rides in the heavens, the ancient heavens; behold, he sends out his voice, his mighty voice. 34 Ascribe power to God, whose majesty is over Israel, and whose power is in the skies. 35 Awesome is God from his sanctuary; the God of Israel--he is the one who gives power and strength to his people. Blessed be God! (Psalms 68:28-35)