WORD OF LIFE CHURCH INTERNATIONAL: DISCERNMENTE OF SPIRITS ... CASTING OUT THE SPIRIT OF ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA

TUESDAY 11 SEPTEMBER 2018

CASTING OUT THE SPIRIT OF ANANIAS AND SAPHIRA

God’s problem with Ananias and Sapphira wasn't that they kept back part of the price. Peter makes it quite clear that they didn't have to sell the property. If they chose to sell it, they didn't have to give the money. If they chose to give, they didn't have to give it all.

What then was wrong with them ? What are the spirits hidden behind that spirit?

This was not a casual lie, it was a conspiracy! They conspired to attract attention and adulation by appearing more generous than they really were. They were playing politics—trying to “curry favor” with the apostles and ingratiate themselves in the eyes of the congregation.

7 TRUTHS TO CAST OUT THIS SPIRIT

*TRUTH 1 | Don't deceive yourself into thinking that you can successfully trick God*

Men can’t see inside of your heart to discern whether you’re a Barnabas or an Ananias. But the secrets of your heart are not secrets to God. (Read 1 Corinthians 4:5)

"All things are naked and open to the eyes of him with whom we have to do" ( *Hebrews 4:13*).

*TRUTH 2* | Don't lose sight of the fact that though God is the God full of love and mercy but he is also the consuming fire.

"For our God [is] a consuming fire." ( *Hebrews 12:29*)

*TRUTH 3* | Don't give if you are not willing to. It will harm you more than do you good. God is not in need. You are the one who is in need.

Peter told Ananias and Saphira that they were not forced to give. By the way, God does not force anybody to give.

*TRUTH 4* | It is a good thing for husband and wife to be agreed, but the thing they agree upon needs to have God’s approval.

*TRUTH 5* | We lose our integrity slowly, over small matters that lead into major ones.

*TRUTH 6* | When we make room in our hearts for Satan, he is not satisfied to occupy some small corner. He wants our whole heart. That’s what he did to Ananias and Sapphira. He "filled" their hearts.

*TRUTH 7* | So far, at least as far as the text goes, Ananias hasn't said a thing. He fell over dead before getting to say a single word in his own defense. "And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost." Acts 5:5

IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST !

JESUS IS LORD !