God Knows

Lying… to God

Acts 5:4 NLT

Have you ever heard the term “white lie”?

It means a small lie that doesn’t do any harm.

Is there such a lie?

No, not really.

God takes lying seriously… because lying is from the enemy.

Consider this situation… 

But there was a certain man named Ananias who, with his wife, Sapphira, sold some property.

He brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount. With his wife’s consent, he kept the rest. Then Peter said, “Ananias, why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit, and you kept some of the money for yourself. The property was yours to sell or not sell, as you wished. And after selling it, the money also yours to give away. How could you do a thing like this? You weren’t lying to us but to God!” As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell to the floor and died. Everyone who heard about it was terrified. (Acts 5:1-5 NLT).

Ananias and Sapphira lied… for no real reason.

It seemed a small lie… It cost them big.

The lie was to God… to the Holy Spirit.

I have learned to be careful… when I say I forgive someone. 

It can seem a small lie… just to delay revenge.

Saying I forgive for now… but I really didn’t.

Forgiveness can be hard to do… easy to lie about.

God knows the truth.

But there is hope…

Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. (James 5:16 NLT).

I can confess my mistake.

And consider…

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins. (James 5:19-20 NLT).

I can be forgiven for my unforgiveness. 

You can too.

Truly forgive… ask Jesus to help you.

Lord, in the quiet of my heart, You speak to me, You know if I am telling the truth, whether or not anyone else does. I am to be careful with forgiveness too. When I forgive, I am to truly forgive. Help me know my own heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Stacy A. Davis