Luke the physician wrote how “a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?”, and in chapter five and verse four of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter asked Ananias, “While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power?” where we read:
While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power?
why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God.
The verse begins, “While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power?”. Luke began with the words, “While it remained” which means “during the time the land abided, tarried and continued”, “was it not your own” or “was not the land your, Ananias', own possession”? “After it was sold” which means “and later on and subsequent to the land being bartered or traded”, “was it not in your own power” or “was not the price received for the property within your, Ananias', own personal authority, choice and liberty of doing as one pleases”? Luke shared how “Peter” asked “Ananias” whether he understood that his property was his own, and after the land was bartered and traded away the value received from it was in his control as well.
The verse continues, “why have you conceived this thing in your heart? you have not lied unto men, but unto God.” Luke added the words, “why have you conceived this thing” which means “for what reason and cause have you, Ananias, set, put, placed and laid the idea of retaining part of the amount received” “in your heart” or “within your own soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors”? “You have not lied unto men” which means “you, Ananias, have not spoken deliberate falsehoods and attempted to deceive people” “but unto God” or “nevertheless, notwithstanding and moreover to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how “Peter” asked “Ananias” what caused him to think of this idea within his soul, and “Peter” told him that he did not attempt to “deceive” people, but God Himself.
When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” questioned “Ananias” as to whether he understood that his “land” was his own, and after he sold it, the proceeds were as well. “Ananias” attempted to “deceive” the “apostles” by bringing only a portion of the proceeds from the sale of his land, but representing it as the full amount. God knows everything, and He knew the sinful nature within mankind. He sent His Son Jesus to save the world from their sins, and when they yield themselves to Him, He will forgive their sins, grant them everlasting life and begin to alter their “heart”. Let all who read these words take heed and understand that no one deceives God the Heavenly Father.
Next time Luke shares how, “Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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