Acts 5:1-11
Fate of Ananias and Sapphira
5 But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property,
2 and kept back some of the price for himself, with his wife’s full knowledge, and bringing a portion of it, he laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?
4 While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not under your control? Why is it that you have conceived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 And as he heard these words, Ananias fell down and breathed his last; and great fear came over all who heard of it.
6 The young men got up and covered him up, and after carrying him out, they buried him.
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.”
10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband.
11 And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things."
Notice that the Holy Spirit in Peter revealed to him that this couple was lying. They were not even required to give all that came from the sale of the land. They lied to make themselves look good to others. They were pretenders, grievous to God. They were saved but they were taken out early so that their prideful heart would not influence others in the beginnings of the church. Notice too that their death for their sin was so dramatic that many came to the Lord because His power was revealed in His discipline.
When we are with Christians in a "fun" gathering and any attempt to bring the conversation to Christ or His principles is mocked and ignored, we very likely are dealing with pretenders or prideful believers.
I have experienced this a lot in my life, thinking that because we are with Christians the gathering ought to be exuding the joy of the Lord and discussions about Him and His principles, but instead we are met with contempt and anger for the attempt.
Those who would keep God in a box in church, will never authentically live their lives for Him. When we are excited about the Word and about Christ, we cannot stop talking about Him. It doesn't matter where we are, who we're with or what we are doing everything we think is filtered through the Word of God.
Rebellious Christians do not want their fun disrupted by discussions about Christ or answers that come from His Word. They will talk about the ball games, their latest trips, their newest material possession, but become embarrassed and even angry when things of the Lord are mentioned.
This is the state of the apostate church, there are monstrous lying judgments made against anyone who loves the Lord. The more we live for Christ the greater the gossip will proliferate. The pretender must discredit the believer by mocking, accusing us of things we never did or said or attitudes we never had, the very things the narcissist is doing but the authentic believer is not doing.
They will say we are unloving and mean spirited to intimidate us into silence or regretting that we spoke of the Lord.
Pretenders are "religious", but they are not born again. They love themselves for the things they do. Demonstrating contempt for anyone who will want to discuss matters to come to a solution. They use the mantra often, "just love them", but do not know or understand the love of Christ. Their form of love is acceptance of everything no matter how disobedient to Christ and a jovial happy smile all the time so that people will like THEM.
It is interesting to me that God said of the account of Ananias and Sapphira, they were being influenced by the devil. The very same influence that is twisting the minds of people today to reject God's principles, His answers and holiness while they attend church every week.
"But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit."
When you become confused that so many people, seem to be surrounded by friends and family who have flattering and glowing words for them, but when you speak of the Lord, you are counted as an enemy.
Galatians 4:16-17 "16 Have I now become your enemy by telling you the truth? 17 Those people are zealous for you, but not in a good way. Instead, they want to isolate you from us, so that you will be zealous for them.…"
Pray for strength that the Holy Spirit respond in you on your behalf as you deal with the increased hostility even in the church gathering.
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