DCLM Higher Everyday 17 January 2026 — Short-Lived Joy Of The Hypocrites
DCLM Higher Everyday 17 January 2026 Devotional by Pastor W. F. Kumuyi — Short-Lived Joy Of The Hypocrites
Topic: Short-Lived Joy Of The Hypocrites
Text: ACTS 5:1-11
1But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession,
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.
11And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things.
Key Verse: “And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things” (Acts 5:5).
Message
Ananias and Sapphira, a couple in the Early Church, decided to sell their property to give some of the money to the Church. However, they hypocritically claimed to have given the entire amount to the Church when in reality they had kept some of the money for themselves. Their actions seemed simple and harmless, but God saw their deception as grievous. As a result, they faced severe consequences, and their hypocrisy was exposed because God cannot be deceived. As Christians, we must be genuine and transparent in our actions and intentions. Hypocrisy can lead to severe consequences, not just in this life but also in eternity.
Also Read: DCLM Higher Everyday 16 January 2025 – share your story
Hypocrisy is dangerous and it demonstrates lack of integrity and honesty in our lives. Hypocrisy is dishonouring God. When we pretend to be something we are not, we dishonour God and bring shame to His name. Hypocrisy can lead to temporary happiness, but it ultimately robs us of the true joy that comes from living a genuine and honest life. Don’t be a hypocrite. Repent and be washed in the blood of the Lamb.
Quote: Be genuine and transparent
Challenge: Don’t be a hypocrite.
Prayer for today: Dear Lord, help me to be transparent at all times.
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)
