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”, and in chapter five and verse three of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter asked Ananias, “why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?” where we read:
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?
The verse begins, “But Peter said, Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, ...”. Luke began with the words, “But Peter said” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover Peter whose name means a little rock or stone uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked”, “Ananias” which refers to “the certain Christian at Jerusalem whose name means whom Jehovah has graciously given”, “why has Satan filled your heart” which means “for what reason and cause has Satan whose name means adversary, the prince of evil spirits and the inveterate adversary of God and Christ, made and rendered full as well as furnished and supplied your, Ananias', soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes and endeavors” “to lie to the Holy Ghost” or “to speak deliberate falsehoods to the sacred, pure, morally blameless and religiously and ceremonially consecrated third person of the triune God, the Holy Spirit who is coequal and co-eternal with the Father and the Son”? Luke shared how “Peter” asked “Ananias” for what reason had “Satan” rendered his “soul” in such a way that he thought he could deceive the “Holy Spirit” of God.
The verse goes on to say, “... and to keep back part of the price of the land?” Luke continued with the words, “and to keep back part” which means “and to retain, separate apart, divide, purloin and embezzle a portion” “of the price of the land” or “pertaining to the deference, honor, value or money received for the property, piece of ground and possession”? Luke shared how “Peter” continued his question to “Ananias” about “retaining” a portion of the money he received for the property he sold for himself.
When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how “Peter” exposed the hypocrisy within “Ananias”. “Ananias” thought he could “deceive” the “apostles” by representing the money he gave to them as being the total he received for his property. “Peter” told him that his act was against the “Holy Spirit” of God and not just the “apostles”. God knows everything about everybody, and there is nothing secret with Him. His desire is to have a personal relationship with everyone who yields their life to His Son Jesus. Let all who read these words take heed before they attempt to “deceive” God Almighty. Let it be known, He already knows.
Next time Luke shares how Peter asked Ananias, “While it remained, was it not your own? and after it was sold, was it not in your own power?”, 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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