Posts Tagged ‘fear of God’

Scripture reading for November 7th: Acts 5-7

Lying is a sin!  One of the ten commandments states that we should not give a false accusation against a neighbor! (Exodus 20:16)   God hates a lying tongue! (Proverbs 6:17-19)  Lying causes mistrust because lies are usually found out and the person’s character is degraded by all who know the truth.  Lying breaks relationships, marriages, homes, and even churches!  A lying tongue hates the one it hurts!  (Proverbs 26:28)  A false witness will not go unpunished and he who pours out lies will perish! (Proverbs 19:9)  The devil is a liar and can speak only one language: “LIE!” (John 8:44)

The Book of Acts records the history of the early church from just before the day of Pentecost and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to the imprisonment of the Apostle Paul in Rome.  Very early in the history of the new church, Luke writes to tell us the story of a couple who told a lie that cost them very dearly.  This is the story of Ananias and Sapphira found in Acts 5:1-16.

The lie that this couple told was a lie of omission.  They sold some of their property and made an offering to the Apostles for the use of the church.  The price of the property was more than what they gave, but they told the Apostles that they gave all the money to the Lord when they had kept some back for themselves.  Now it wasn’t wrong not to give it all.  It was only wrong to lie about what they had given.  Scripture doesn’t say why they did this.  It may be that they wanted to look good and seem more dedicated than they really were.  It may be that they dedicated more than they were willing to give and decided to keep some back.  Whatever the reason, we only have the startling results!

“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?  Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal?  What made you think of doing such a thing?  You have not lied to men, but to God.”"  “When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what happened.” (Acts 5:3-5)

This happened in the same way to his wife Sapphira.  Both of them died immediately as a result of lying!  This should make each one of us think and evaluate our own hearts and giving.  We need mercy more than ever!  This is a New Testament story to warn God’s people that dealing with God is serious business!  Amazingly, the church grew and many souls were added after this judgment!  God is building a holy church without spot or wrinkle!  The Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Truth!

Scripture reading for February 27: Deuteronomy 21-26

One of the most difficult things to do is to change.  We are by nature procrastinators and easily get comfortable with sin and evil in our lives and culture.  We blame others for our bad habits and use the victim mentality to justify our own rebellion.  We easily judge others who are “worse than us” and can see their need to change.  Looking in the mirror and admitting that I need to change is another story.  In today’s reading from Mose’s sermon to the younger generation we can gain insight about the radical methods needed to remove sin and guilt from our lives and community. This blog is inspired by a statement that is repeated many times by Moses: “purge evil from among you”.

“If a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not obey his father and mother and will not listen to them when they discipline him, then his father and mother shall take hold of him and bring him to the elders at the gate of his town. They shall say to the elders, “This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious.  He will not obey us.  He is a profligate and a drunkard.”  Then all the men of the town shall stone him to death.  You must purge evil from among you. All Israel will hear it and be afraid.”  (Deuteronomy 21:18-21)

What is evil?  According to this passage, one form of  it is dishonoring and rebelling against your God-given authority. This is a breaking of God’s law, the only true source of knowing good and evil.   A son who refuses to listen and be corrected by his parents is exhibiting rebellion and evil.  Evil cannot be negotiated with or excused.  Discipline is to be used to remove it or drive it out of one’s home or life.  Evil affects communities and spreads if not dealt with.  It is more than a personal matter.  Sin’s final consequence is death and that can spread to a whole community.

Now, don’t jump to the conclusion that we should stone our children today.  This law was for God’s family under the old covenant.  It is teaching us principles of parenting and community involvement in setting standards for evil and its removal.  If we tolerate evil, it always spreads.  A lack of swift justice or discipline allows evil to grow.  A swift and severe punishment instills a holy fear of God’s Word and reinforces the seriousness of evil as a source of death.  Notice the elders were involved here.  Those with wisdom and maturity helped the family with the rebellious child.  Their goal was removing evil from the midst of the community, not just placating the child or parents.  They cared about all the children and the future.

There are other examples throughout this section of scripture.  The general lesson for us is our need for a clear definition of good and evil in community.  The community working together to purge evil and promote good by respect for God’s law is foundational to God’s blessing of His people.  Contemplate these truths and ask God how to apply them personally and in the community we belong to!