But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.
And a great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. And of the rest durst no man join himself to them but the people magnified them. And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) Insomuch that they brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and couches, that at least the shadow of Peter passing by might overshadow some of them. There came also a multitude out of the cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
How immune to judgement do we become? How deceiving to think that God wouldn’t know what we are doing and thinking! With Sapphira it was lying with her words, as well as actions. But with Ananias it was actions. Actions! What do I do daily? How might my actions portray a lie. Wow. I have got to get to the point where thought and deed line up with the word of God. In some ways, we might feel that God has become more lenient because we don’t see people just drop dead in this way. But has His word changed? This was in the new testament church.
We desire to be like Peter, where something would happen to people as our shadow fell upon them… but what are our intentions. Where does the desire stem from? Is that desire any different from Ananias. Is it to be more like Christ and truly suffer with Him, or is it to become a name, or a “respected” leader, because of something we can do or give?
Oh, Lord, I pray that my life and my walk reflects you. And that I wouldn’t try to lie to you in any area of my life. Cleanse me, and help me to be honest in all I say and do. Lord, I know that I am not worthy and my flesh is corrupt… help me to think clearly before I act. Help me to get beyond that flesh and see into the spiritual. Lord, help me to desire what you would have me to be, and not what I “think” I should be.
Thank you for being a part of leadership at The Pentecostals.
