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NOT A HEART FILLED BY SATAN (I)
FRIDAY, JUNE 11
Acts 5:1-11

Mark 12:41-44

 

“…why hath Satan filled thine heart

to lie to the Holy Ghost…”

 

NOT A HEART FILLED BY SATAN (I)
 
From the beginning of the church “all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need” (Acts 2:44-45). And this practice continued, to the extent that “the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the  things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common” (Acts 4:32). There were remarkable examples of selfless generosity, “for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need” (Acts 4:34-35).
 
But this sublime picture is soon broken by the sober reminder that even within the church, sin may rear its ugly head. Wherever there is sincerity, there may be hypocrisy; wherever there is truth, the father of lies will seek  to infiltrate and deceive.
 
So we find Ananias pretending to give as generously as the others, but in reality bringing only “a certain part” of what he made a show of giving (Acts 5:2). It was not the love of money that brought about his downfall, for he was willing to part with at least some of his money; but the love of fame and popularity, of accolade and applause.
 
Dear reader, from this account it should be evident to us that God both knows and will judge our hearts, as well as our actions. It would have been better for Ananias to have given two mites with a pure heart (cf. Mark 12:43), than half a fortune with a heart filled by Satan! But are we any less guilty when we come before God’s presence pretending to give Him the full measure of our attention, though in truth part of our focus is elsewhere? Or when we pretend to love God with all our hearts, when  really some portion of our affection has been given to the world? Ah, let us beware, and may the Lord fill our hearts with holy fear, lest we should be found to have lied “not… unto men, but unto God” (Acts 5:4).
 
THOUGHT: “Though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor… and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” (1 Cor 13:3)
PRAYER: Search me, O Father, and root out my hypocrisy!

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