Motives Matter
Acts 5:7–11 (NASB95)
7 Now there elapsed an interval of about three hours, and his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter responded to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for such and such a price?” And she said, “Yes, that was the price.” 9 Then Peter said to her, “Why is it that you have agreed together to put the Spirit of the Lord to the test? Behold, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out as well.” 10 And immediately she fell at his feet and breathed her last, and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her beside her husband. 11And great fear came over the whole church, and over all who heard of these things.
Acts 5:7-11 describes the tragic consequences of Ananias and Sapphira's deception. Approximately three hours after Ananias's death, his wife, Sapphira, enters the scene, unaware of what had transpired. Peter questions her about the price they received for the land, allowing her to confess the truth. Tragically, she repeats her husband’s lie, sealing her fate. Sapphira, like Achan's family in Joshua 7, was complicit in the deception and thus shared in the punishment. Her refusal to tell the truth, even when given the opportunity, underscores the depth of her deceit.
Peter confronts Sapphira with her sin, revealing the severity of their transgression: "How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?" "Testing God" in this context refers to a deliberate act of defiance and unbelief, similar to Israel testing God in the wilderness. Ananias and Sapphira’s deception was not simply a lie to the apostles; it was a direct challenge to the Holy Spirit's authority and the integrity of the early church. Their sin was not about the money but their heart attitude and attempt to deceive God.
Just as Ananias had fallen dead, Sapphira, too, fell and died. This swift and dramatic judgment underscores God's holiness and the seriousness of sin within the community of believers. Sapphira’s death at Peter’s feet contrasts sharply with the couple’s earlier pretense of submitting their offering at the apostles’ feet, highlighting the irony of their deceptive act.
While the dramatic judgment experienced by Ananias and Sapphira may not be the norm in the modern church, their story serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity in our lives. We must be careful not to allow a desire for recognition or approval to lead us into hypocrisy and deceit. God sees our hearts and desires genuine authenticity and transparency within His community. This requires us to cultivate a culture of accountability, where we can confess our sins to one another and seek forgiveness. While we can be grateful for God's grace and mercy, we should not take His forgiveness for granted. True repentance involves a change of heart and a commitment to living in accordance with God's will. By prioritizing honesty and integrity, we can create a healthy and thriving church community where God's presence can be fully experienced and His power can be unleashed.
Blessings,
Ryan Goodnight