Ananias and Sapphira Lying Part V

Ananias and Sapphira   Lying    Part V

Acts 5:3 "Then Peter said, "Ananias, how is it that satan has so filled your heart that you lied..."

Satan has no power to fill a person's heart without their consent; without their cooperation.

The works and power of satan in this story depended the man allowing satan into his heart.  So it was satan's work, formed in the heart of man, who was not determined to keep satan out of the matter.

Every sin can be attributed to both satan and the person.  Satan is the deceiver, but it is not unavoidable to be deceived.  Satan sets the trap, but it is up to each person to decide to walk into it or walk away.  There is no work of satan against man that reduces or eliminates man's responsibility.  It is a choice!

There is no temptation that satan can set up against you that God cannot help you if you will only ask, trust and obey God!  The truth is empowered by God's Word.  Forgiveness and Repentance is offered and the strength to resist temptation moment by moment.

"No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted  beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it." (1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV)

The battlefield is in our heart.  Satan seeks a home within each person's heart so he can do the work of corruption.  God said to Cain, "sin lies at your door" (Gen. 4:7 KJV) and this is why Peter rebuked Ananias and Sapphira for allowing the work of satan; to corrupt their heart and the church.  It was justified in order to save God's church!

"and do not give the devil an opportunity" (Eph. 4:27 NASB)