April 3, 2008 - Acts 5:8

“Peter asked her, ‘Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?’ ‘Yes,’ she said, ‘that is the price.’” Acts 5:8.
Ananias’ wife, Sapphira, appears before Peter, apparently not aware that her husband had died as a result of lying to the Holy Spirit not long before. Otherwise, she might have been much more careful with her response to Peter. By the manner in which the question is posed to her, it seems as though she is being set up, but that may not be the case. The couple had already decided to hold some of the money back. And yet, with the question, Peter was giving her the opportunity to change her response and admit their deception. Instead, like her husband, she confirms the price and the lie. And, like her husband, she collapses to the ground dead upon hearing of the death of her husband.
While we may not actually die from the consequences, there is a form of death that happens whenever we cover up our actions with lies. Not to long ago, I remember getting caught in a lie to my wife concerning some dietary restrictions that I had agreed to and had broken. I was embarrassed and ashamed of myself for doing it. I had, also, broken her trust, which was going to take some time to restore. There was some death in that moment. There were definite consequences to my actions, as well as my lying to cover them up.
Hopefully, we will not have similar consequences as Ananias and Sapphira, but I am not so sure that “death on the installment plan” is much better. When we mess up, I hope that we do not cover the mess over with a pack of lies.
Questions to consider: Have you ever been caught in your own lies? If so, what did that feel like? Is there anything that you need to get straightened out now?
Prayer: Father, help me to always live in the light with You and with those whom I love. Give me the strength to not cover up my mess-ups with lies. Help me to come to You to get cleaned up and to go to those necessary to get straight. Amen.