Hypocrisy is Death; Stop Lying

Read: Acts 5:1-11

Hypocrisy is Death

There is no room in the family of God for deception or hypocrisy… in the end it leads to death. We are never actually lying only to ourselves, but in the end “You have not lied to man but to God.” (v.4) Lying always brings death… death to self, death to relationship, death to spiritual growth, death to opportunity… death. This has always been the case. We don’t truly believe this which is why we are shocked when we read this story. This truth scares us… “And great fear came upon all who heard of it”. (v.5,11) If we were to really clearly see the destructive power of deception and hypocrisy we would be scared stiff!

Hypocrisy has no place among the people of God. Ananias and Sapphira are a graphic example of how radically God opposes this behavior. Was God responding harshly to them? What happened to the “loving and merciful” God we have heard of? Where was this love and mercy for these two who were a part of the family of God? Maybe their destruction was the most merciful outcome for them!?! Lying and deception is rooted in Satan, who is called the “father of lies”. (cf. John 8:44) We see that “Satan filled (Ananias’s) heart to lie to the Holy Spirit.” (v.2) Hypocrisy is the doorway that Satan enters into the family of God through. Ananias’s heart has become trapped and deceived by Satan. When we become that entangled with Satan, it may very well be that death is one final MERCY God holds out to us as his children. You can’t lie to God… God cannot be deceived! Our lies never stop with us either. Look at Sapphira, and the way that she goes along with this hypocrisy. In the end, it leads to her death as well. (v.9) Her husband’s schemes contributed to her destruction. Our hypocrisy will not only destroy us, but it will inevitably bleed over to the ones we love… duplicity, hypocrisy, and dishonesty will DESTROY those around us soon or later… which is why it may be the most merciful of things for God to put an end to it.

Thank goodness that this scene is not the norm. Nevertheless, I do believe that the consequences for lying and hypocrisy … trying to live a double life … are so much more severe for those who are in the family of God. It is no joking matter. My heart is broken by the carnage all around us in the C/church. There is no shortage of people in the family of God trying to live a double life, and in the end they are ushering in death for themselves, their loved ones, and the world around them. As we close out this year and enter into the next, may we be ever more people who are genuine and honest in every sense of the words. May we stop seeking to deceive ourselves and others. May we become transparent with one another… and cast off the hypocrisy and deception that can so easily ensnare us. May we stop saying things that are untrue. May we open ourselves up to one another and embrace the freedom, beauty, and LIFE that comes with genuine and vulnerable Christian community. Hear now the words of Christ: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the TRUE worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and TRUTH, for the Father is seeking such people to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and TRUTH.” I am looking forward to the start of the new year with you all! The Lord has great things in store for us as his children. The time has come to shed hypocrisy and worship in spirit and in truth! Talk to you all next year! Love you guys. - JDP