DCLM Higher Everyday 9 August 2023 — A Fatal Lie
DCLM Higher Everyday 9 August 2023 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — A Fatal Lie
Topic: A Fatal Lie
Text: Acts 5:1-10
1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
2And 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.
3But 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?
4Whiles 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.
5And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things.
6And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him.
7And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in.
8And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much.
9Then 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.
10Then 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.
Key Verse: “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” (Acts 5:3).
Message
There are various categories of lies. We have falsehood, fabrication and white lie. White lie is erroneously believed to be sinless by many so-called believers, but alas it is a sin and can damn the soul in hell. The biblical record of Ananias and Sapphira, a couple that lost their lives same day because of unnecessary lie, is common knowledge amongst Christians. All liars shall burn in hell, says the Scriptures.
No matter how seemingly harmless, or little, a lie is fatal and would soon be unveiled. So, C.S. Lewis opines: “A little lie is like a little pregnancy – it doesn’t take long before everyone knows.” Again, George Herbert says: “Show me a liar, and I will show thee a thief.” You see, Ananias and Sapphira did not only tell a lie but also stole money because they presented only a part of the proceeds of the land to the Church while stating that it was the whole money. In sum, lying is a forerunner to thievery, leading ultimately to eternal damnation, if not repented of. But Jesus can deliver you right now.
Quote: Lying is a forerunner to thievery
Challenge: Every liar is a slave of Satan and would suffer with him eternally.
Prayer for today: My Father, please help me to pursue my life’s goal of godliness.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
