Ananias and Sapphira: Defiled Headship Part II
Ananias and Sapphira designed a scheme to keep some of the money and take the remaining portion and lay it at the feet of the Apostle.
They would not necessarily say they were giving all the money they would just let everyone assume that. Then they would have the instant acclaim as super-spiritual, self-sacrificing Believers who had surrendered everything to God.
What went wrong with their plan? Peter, with divine discernment, attributed their scheme to Satan and called it lying to the Holy Spirit. (Acts 5:3) He explained that they were under no obligation to sell their property and give the money to the church, but they were obligated to be honest.
Their sin was wrapped in dishonesty, deceit, hypocrisy, and presenting a false image of themselves. Peter told them, “you have not lied to men, but to God.” (Acts 5:4)
Ananias and Sapphira exhibited a fabulous togetherness in their deceptive scheme, their hypocrisy could not help but have affected their marriage.
When appearance is more important to us than reality, we will manipulate the impression we want others to see.
We are careful to hide most of the emotions of the flesh and addictions from others, but behind the front door of our homes, we let our anger, abuse, addictions, slothfulness, pride, unkindness, bitterness, selfishness and childish behavior run rampant. And as a result many Christian homes are consumed with stress, fear, control, manipulation and strife.
“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.” Gal. 5:16-26 NLT
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