Called 4 Jesus

By TA York
There’s always a question in my mind about the human character.
Why is it so important for a person to put on a mask and pretend to be godly? Do these
kinds of people really understand what they are doing? Or do they just think that the
Holy Spirit will turn His head and pretend not to see?
Let’s delve into this a little more.
Acts 5:1
“Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of
property.”
Here in the first verse, we see a piece of property was sold, along with other believers
(previous chapter). I find this an interesting statement. “A piece of property.” Not
Anania’s property, or the couple’s home. Yes, this is clarified in verse four, we will get
there.
Who does the property really belong to? God!
So here’s the idea. Believer, when you buy a house, God allows it. The jobs we have,
given to us by God. Our families, given to us by God. So everything we have, everything
we are, is God produced.
So, utilize your home, life, and family to bring glory to God. Pray, read the Bible and ask
your pastors how this is done.
Acts 5:2
“With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought
the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.”
Premeditated acts of lying, greed and a type of manipulation shows incredible
disobedience to God. How can a person truly think they can trick God?
I’ve been in positions of great lack. What did I do? I am candid with God. I tell Him
exactly what I’m going through. Sometimes faith pulls me through, sometimes my mind
makes me fail. Yet, I won’t lie to God and I open up completely to Him.
Acts 5:3-5
“ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have
lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the
land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the
money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied
just to human beings but to God.”
5 When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard
what had happened. “
Verse four is part of our answer at the beginning of the article . The apostle admits, “…it
belongs to you…” (the house and money). God gave both to Ananias. Yet he continued
to pretend to be a good believer to the apostles and ultimately God. Reveal yourself to
the Holy Spirit. Don’t try to hide your problems or your heart.
When we don’t have regard for God and our brothers in Jesus. Our faith will falter and it
will result in spiritual death.
Ananias pretended to be an obedient Believer in front of the apostles. Yet, the Holy
Spirit discernment uncovers the pretenders.
The result is anxiety, fear, and mental anguish. Maybe somebody will find out that they
are faking it. Lol.
I’ve talked to people that say good things about me. Then when I turn around, they talk
about my faults behind my back. They act like “godly Christians,” yet inside are dead
man’s bones (as Ezekiel would say).
Jesus would rather you take off the mask and be real with God, with fellow believers and
themselves. That’s how to learn to grow in Christ.
Here’s part of my morning prayer:
1. Pray against the strongholds in my life.
2. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal other strongholds to me.
3. Dedicated my mind and senses to God. Even my deepest thoughts.
4. Pour the fruit of the spirit on me (Galatians 5:22-23).
With these in prayer, you will see a different Christian life evolve.
God bles