Acts 5 -- Be CAREFUL What You Say And Pray

Satan tried to work from within the church when his efforts outside the church failed.  My commentary said, “He knows how to lie to the minds and hearts of church members, even genuine Christians, and get them to follow his orders.”

 

Ananias and Sapphira wanted the same type of recognition that Barnabas had received for his generosity.  But they didn’t want to pay the same price.  “Pride opens the door to every other sin, for once we are more concerned with our reputation than our character, there is no end to the things we will do just to make ourselves look good before others,” my commentary said.

 

This paragraph in my commentary really got me, however:

 

“It is easy for us to condemn Ananias and Sapphira for their dishonesty, but we need to examine our own lives to see if our profession is backed up by our practice.  Do we really mean everything we pray about in public?  Do we sing the hymns and gospel songs sincerely or routinely?  ‘These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me.’  If God killed religious deceivers today, how many church members would be left?”

 

Wow, Father!  Thank You for calling me to honesty about my prayers, my promises, and my professions.  Guide my heart to always be on guard against falsehood in my words.

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford