TUESDAY September 21, 2021
Satan Tries to Interfere in God’s Work
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet.
Acts 5:1-2
In the book of Acts, on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit had come (Acts 2:1). Revival happened among the new coverts. God was moving in the midst of His Church. Satan tried to hinder and stop the work of God.
A husband and wife team, Ananias and Sapphira, allowed Satan to interfere with the work of God by lying to the Holy Spirit. They sold a possession and said they gave all the money to the Lord, but they kept some of the money for themselves. They lied about it. Peter was in tune with the Holy Spirit. God had given him a word of knowledge. Peter, having godly discernment said to Ananias:
“Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God” (Acts 5:3-4).
The Holy Spirit is God. Ananias lied to God, and swift judgment came:
Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him (Acts 5:5-6).
Three hours later, Ananias’ wife, not knowing what had happened to her husband, was questioned by Peter about the amount given to the Lord. She also lied to Peter, and immediately she died (Acts 5:7-10). The problem was the heart. Ananias and Sapphira had conceived in their hearts to lie against God. Check your heart for any sin. Satan will use your sin to hinder the work of God. Fear God and avoid His chastening.
The blood is shed for us. God pardons and forgives for Christ's sake ... There is nothing, not even the devil himself, that can hinder the confessing sinner.
~A.W. Tozer~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!