Deadly Lies

Posted 1/24/2009

We often think that lying is not such a "bad" sin, especially compared to such things as murder or adultery. However, in Pr 6:16-19, God includes it twice in a list of things he absolutely hates. Lying joins company with pride, murder, wicked intents, evil actions, and divisiveness.

Consider the severity of God's response to Annanias and Sapphira when they lied to Him about their gift. Talk about pointless pride! It's not like they were trying to get out of trouble, or hide sin - they just wanted to look better to everybody. Acts 4:32-5:11

Things were going well in the church. Everybody was sharing what they had (v 32), and meeting each other's needs (v 34). And this wasn't mere giving; property owners were selling what they had and giving the proceeds away!

So, Ananias and Sapphira did the same thing. However, they lied together to God about what they were giving. It's all very abrupt and sudden, but we see the reason when Peter questions Sapphira about their giving. Ananias doesn't get questioned, but his wife does, and she made the same mistake of lying to God.

Our giving is completely in our control (v 4). God doesn't need our money or gifts - he wants our hearts to be surrendered and grateful to Him. For example consider Jesus' statements about the offerings in Luke 21:1-4. The tiny bit the poor widow gave was more than all of theirs - because it was sacrificially "all that she had to live on." Wow. Would you give to God instead of eating? Would you turn the heat off so you can give more to God? Would you skip entertainment so you can give your time and resource to God's service?

Their lie was in part an idea from Satan, yet also conceived on their own. We are responsible for our own actions, and not even the devil can be blamed for our sin. And God is not fooled by any of it.

God judged them with taking their lives away on the spot. This sent a clear message to everybody else to be sure they were truthful in their intents and actions as well. Take warning from the judgment you see others go through, and learn to obey and love God instead.

Consider Proverbs 12:22; 19:5; 26:28 about what God thinks about lies.

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