30. Warning About Losing The Fear Of The Lord: Ananias And Sapphira Lied To God
Acts 5:3 — “Why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit?”
Acts 5:11 — “Great fear came over the whole church.”
The account of Ananias and Sapphira reminds us that God is holy. Their sin was not merely withholding money; it was pretending devotion while hiding deception. They wanted the appearance of sacrifice without the reality of surrender.
The fear of the Lord creates honesty before God. When reverence disappears, hypocrisy flourishes. God sees what people cannot see. Christ desires truth in the inward parts.
• God sees hidden motives.
• Hypocrisy destroys spiritual health.
• Reverence creates transparency.
What this does in the life of a Christ follower:
• Encourages honesty before God.
• Protects against spiritual pretense.
• Produces integrity.
How to avoid this:
• Refuse to exaggerate spirituality.
• Be truthful in motives and actions.
• Walk openly before God.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, deliver me from hypocrisy. Let me value truth more than appearance and integrity more than reputation. Help me live honestly before You and before others. Amen.