Sin Still Causes Pain
A Quick Death
Scripture Reading: Acts 5:1-11
Key Verse: Acts 5:3
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land?”
It is easy to think that the story in today’s Scripture Reading is a fluke (Acts 5:5). It is true that physical death does not often occur right after a sin. It seems like that would cure a lot of sinning, but the truth is, those standing close to this incident undoubtedly lied again, even after witnessing what happened to Ananias and Sapphira.
Fear wears off, but the tendencies of our human nature do not. It reminds me of the swell of church attendance after September 11th. Unfortunately, it did not last long.
We should all remember that sin still causes death, a more serious death than the loss of our physical life. Sin separates us from the life flow of God Himself. To be dead inside our hearts is more tragic than physical death because it is eternal. Jesus forgave people their sins but reminded them to “go and sin no more.”
The Apostle Peter pointed out to Ananias that his greatest sin was lying to the Holy Spirit of God. The inner nudges of the Spirit warned Ananias and his wife. No one sins accidentally. Undoubtedly this couple wanted to look spiritual and generous more than they wanted to be honest.
This describes every temptation we will ever face: the flesh wanting something that conflicts with the inner work of God in us. Our free will makes the decision on who wins: the flesh or the spirit. If we allow the flesh to win, a part of us dies inside. If we continue down that path, eternal death will result. Let us stay in step with the Spirit!
Father, energize Your Spirit within me to sensitize me to any sin that might allure me. In Jesus’s Name, amen.