Acts 5-6, Psalm 121
Acts 5:3-4 (NLT)
“Then Peter said, ‘Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money was also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!’”
In Acts 5:3–4, Peter confronts Ananias about his gift. Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a property and brought part of the money to the apostles, presenting it as though it were the full amount. Peter, through what I understand as a word of knowledge, had supernatural knowledge that Ananias had not told the truth. Peter told Ananias that he had lied not only to the Holy Spirit but also to Father-God.
One Bible commentary I read noted that Ananias wanted public praise for his generosity. Ananias's sin was not in withholding the money but in presenting his gift as though he and his wife had given the full amount. His deception may also have been motivated by greed, but his greater sin was hypocrisy and pride because he wanted everyone to think he was spiritual. Another Bible commentary noted that Ananias, through his lies, threatened the truth and unity of the early church.
I've often read and heard these verses, but I never considered the cost of Ananias's lie to the early church or that he was lying not only to the Holy Spirit but also to Father-God. If Peter had not confronted Ananias about his gift, his deception might have remained hidden. Through his pride, hypocrisy, and falsehood, Ananias had allowed Satan to influence his actions and threaten the integrity of the early church.
I pray daily for the Holy Spirit to guide me, especially when it comes to pride and wanting people to think well of me. I ask the Holy Spirit to help me discern whether I am doing something just to look good in public or because the Lord wants me to do something that will serve His purposes for my life and the world. I don't want to do anything that the Lord doesn't want me to do.
If these verses resonate with you—if you feel drawn to place your faith in Jesus Christ, the One who gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us away from sin and into truth—this may be your moment. Open your heart to Him. Speak to Him in prayer. Tell Him you trust Him and desire to walk with Him. He is faithful, and He will meet you exactly where you are.
Heavenly Father, I give You my life. Please forgive me for all my sins and wash me clean through the blood of Jesus. I believe in my heart that You raised Jesus from the dead, and I confess with my mouth that Jesus is my Lord and Savior. I receive Your forgiveness and the gift of salvation. Thank You, Lord—I am saved, I am forgiven, I am clean, and I am made new in Jesus' name. Amen.
If you prayed this prayer, welcome to the family of Father-God! I encourage you to find and join a Holy Spirit–filled, full-Gospel, Bible-based church where you can grow in your faith and experience the Lord's love, signs, wonders, and miracles in your life.
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