Thursday 30, July 2026

Humans tend to make some weird assumptions. We say with our own lips that we believe in a God Whom we can’t see. In the rough and tumble of life, we declare that God is with us always and sees every circumstance we face. Yet, when temptation comes, as it definitely does, we clock out, neglecting to pray or remember that God is with us.

Go figure!

That’s the only logical explanation I can propose regarding Ananias and Sapphira’s crazy plan [and we go on ahead and do the same thing, despite their mistake!] Consider Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts 5:4 CEVDCI

[4] The property was yours before you sold it, and even after you sold it, the money was still yours. What made you do such a thing? You didn’t lie to people. You lied to God!”

Why

Not only did they not expect to get caught, but they also figured God wouldn’t notice. Did they think God is blind like the statue of Justice? Had they forgotten that deeds plotted in secret are often revealed publicly? Was there not a shred of conscience telling them, screaming at them, don’t yield? What were they thinking? Why did they try to withhold the funds?!

Self-Check

Even as we ask these questions about Ananias and Sapphira, let us also look inward and ask why we would commit the sins we yield to.

Digging Deeper

Peter’s response invites us to examine our own lives, rather than simply leaving the conversation there. The painful reality is that we cannot sin against God without hurting ourselves. Not only because we share God’s DNA, but also because sin carries a death penalty (see Romans 6:23). Why then, do we choose sin over living with integrity for God’s glory?

The further irony is as Peter laid it out – the money was theirs to do as they willed. They didn’t have to give any of the proceeds to the church. But they insisted on a half-truth. Was it so important to be seen along those who sacrificed everything for the church? What would they gain by lying? What do we think we gain by lying to God?

Many of us are challenged when it’s time to give back to God. The love of money does carry a spiritual hold over some of us. Some of us readily confess ‘the earth is the Lord’s and all its content’, and can withstand that temptation. But we are tempted in other ways, and our fall is equally public. Do we think through the ramifications before going forward with the thought or deed?

I guess the bigger question is why do we yield to the enemy’s schemes?

We don’t always yield to temptation. Neither do we yield to the same temptation every time it presents itself. We sometimes practice self-control. For those of us who overeat or eat the wrong foods, for example, we don’t always do the wrong thing. We don’t always give in to the urge to gossip, lie, steal, fall into sexual sin, defamation, get angry or jealous, or seek the limelight for ourselves.

Why then do we yield at the times we do? When we have the answer to that riddle, it may be a bit easier for us to avoid temptation. In the meantime, let’s recall that no temptation comes our way without an escape route. That assurance from 1 Corinthians 10:13 reminds us to look for an exit. I suggest the exit is Jesus. Let’s seek His support always.

Point to Ponder

When temptations come at us like a storm on Lake Galilee, we can choose to SuRF: SUbmit to God; Resist the devil, and the devil will Flee from our presence (see James 4:7). It begins with fixing our eyes on Christ.

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May all we seek be found in Christ