Friday January 20th, 2023
Meditate on: 1 Samuel 2:3
« Stop acting so proud and haughty! Don’t speak with such arrogance! For the LORD is a God who knows what you have done; he will judge your actions. »
Read: Acts 5:1-11
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession.
2 And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
3 But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
4 While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.”
5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things.
6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.
7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened.
8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.”
9 Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.”
10 Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.
11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.
Understand
It is impossible to deceive God because He knows ALL things, including the thoughts of your heart and the motives behind your actions.
In Samuel 15:13-15 for example, King Saul told Samuel that he had already obeyed God’s commandments as regards the Amalekites. However, the latter heard the noise of animals. The King then lied that they were for sacrifice to God.
Why would anyone try to deceive God?
In the first place, he should have asked himself if oxen sound differently for the Prophet to know which is from Amalek and which is not. He should have known that Samuel was acting based on divine knowledge.
You can’t hide anything from God!
Acts 5:1-11
Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit and never got a chance to repent.
They would not have died if they had simply been honest about how much they sold the land for and how much they kept back.
They were not forced to sell; they just wanted to deceive the Holy Spirit and they paid dearly for it.
Do not attempt to deceive God.
Many years ago, when the Redeemed Christian Church of God was small, one man joined us and became very active almost immediately. In fact, we thought he was a blessing until God revealed his true identity. I was on a lengthy fast when he came to see me. There and then, God told me he was a spy, operating from the church so he would not be easily found. I confronted him and he tried to cover up. I told him he wouldn’t last beyond the next seven days. Within the week, God exposed him and he was picked by the then military government of Nigeria. God cannot be deceived.
Paying less than your tithe is deception to God; it would have been better if you didn’t pay it at all.
Telling a lie to the marriage counselor in your Church that you and your fiancée/fiancé have not had any sexual relations before marriage is trying to deceive God.
As an usher, changing the remittance figures is trying to deceive God. It is dangerous and thus, has grave consequences.
Don’t do it.
Practice: Is there any area where you have been trying to deceive God? Repent now.
Author: Pst E. A. Adeboye.
Edited by Naomie
Freely you received, freely you must give (Math 10:8) , kindly share this devotion, and the Lord will bless you for it ♥
