Devotionals

A Lying Spirit

by Jennifer Woodley 
12/14/20
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“Ananias,” Peter asked, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the proceeds of the land?” Acts 5:3 (NRSV)

Satan attacks the community of God by causing Ananias to lie. Peter made it clear that Ananais’ sin was not in keeping part of the proceeds from the sale of the land, but in lying to God. “You did not lie to us but to God!” Lying had serious consequences: the punishment was death.

Jesus taught that when we welcome others, we welcome Him, when we care for others, we care for Him, therefore, when we lie to others, we are in fact lying to God.

When we lie to one another, there is always an underlying motive. We are not free to love and serve our neighbour without a hidden agenda. We are unable to speak simply and truthfully because we are bound by fear, pride, control or manipulation. When we are in bondage to sin, as Ananias and Sapphira were, both our speech and our serving will flow out of that centre. Is our loyalty to Christ and living Kingdom ways divided? Are we harbouring an impure motive? Notice how often we craft our words to look good or speak dishonestly in order to get what we want.

Only when we entrust ourselves and our reputation to Jesus will we be able to speak and act simply and truthfully.

“Father, forgive me for depending upon myself and striving to maintain a good reputation at the expense of acting honestly and speaking truthfully to others. Help me to surrender myself and depend fully on you. Thank you.”