2026 Acts 5-1, Hypocritical devotion and True Devotion
Special
Author
Admin
Date
2026-10-25 16:24
Views
13
Hypocritical devotion and True Devotion
Acts 5:1-16
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Freedom is being released from what binds us such as sin, worries, or unhealthy habits. When the Holy Spirit comes to us, we are liberated from these bonds and set free.
However, the devil seeks to bind us again. If a lying spirit takes the place of the Holy Spirit, we will be chained again. Persecution or suffering is not real crisis. The real crisis is being ruled by the spirit of lying leading us back into bondage of sin. This is what occurred in the early church.
The event in this passage is bizarre and shocking. Even at church, we can die while offering. A single lie can cost man his or her life. If we were all judged by such a standard, would anyone be left today?
After the Exodus, only Joshua and Caleb obeyed God but all other rebelled against God. Yet, God did not destroy them immediately. Instead, they lived forty years in the wilderness raising their children and died. Only the next generation entered the Promised Land.
Perhaps the reason we are still alive today is not because we are good but because for the sake of the next generation.
This passage tells the story of a couple who faced judgment when they lied. Most people recognize adultery or murder as grave sins. Then, do we regard lying to be a matter of life and death?
In Acts 4:36–37, Barnabas sold his property and put it at the apostles’ feet. He was deeply praised and respected as a man of devotion and encouragement in the early church.
Ananias and his wife, observing this, must have been envious of Barnabas. They also wanted to be respected and recognized in the church. Is it wrong? No. But there was something fatally wrong.
Look at verses 1-2. “Now (But) a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 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.” Outwardly, they did exactly what Barnabas had done. However, the motive was different. After they sold their property, they kept some for themselves while falsely claiming to give all. As a result, they died. What is their problem?
After the Exodus, the Israelites conquered the formidable fortified city of Jericho. Right after victory, yet they were defeated by a small city of Ai. Under fear and discouragement, Joshua and Israelites prayed. God said to Joshua. "There is sin in Israel." God had explicitly commanded that no spoils from the conquered city were to be taken by the Israelites.
However, Achan had stolen a cloak, 200 shekels of silver, and 50 shekels of gold, hiding them secretly in his tent. Though the material value was ignorable, his greedy heart and action were a direct defiance of God’s command and brought greed and deceit into the community of Israel that just started to form a nation. After Joshua executed Achan, Israel gained victory once again. Achan’s greed and lying spirit became a grave obstacle, hindering Israel from forming a godly nation. Because Achan was controlled by a spirit of deceit, the entire community of Israel stood at risk of collapse. That is why Joshua put him to death.
The same incident took place in the early church. Peter discerned that this issue posed a crisis. He saw that a lying spirit, disguised devotion and greed could dismantle the church community.
While pretending to be fully devoted, this couple held back a portion of money for their own security. They attempted to gain both benefit (security) and a good reputation through a calculated form of devotion. But they faced judgment.
Look at verse 3. 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?” This is not merely a matter of money. It is about lying spirit seeking their own glory. For their own names and security, they lied to God. Verse 4 says, “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.”
While Barnabas’ motive of devotion was for God’s glory and church, Ananias and Sapphira acted out of envy and jealousy, offering a calculated devotion to win the recognition of others.
We come to church. I believe you devote your time and material to the Lord. Are we doing to glorify God or gain the approval of people? Are we doing with honesty? Or do we calculate and hide some but pretend to devote all to the Lord?
Love must be 100 percent. Would you marry someone who says, "I love you 50 % or 90 %"? Even in human relationships, there is no such thing as "90 percent" love. Is it possible, then, for man to love God at a 50 % or 90 percent level?
Ananias and Sapphira’s devotion was not 100 percent. Yet they lied to God and church claiming it 100 % devotion.
When you love something, I believe you pour your whole heart into it. I try always my best not to be late for Bible study because I love God and Bible study students. When that love cools, people come to the meeting late or stop coming. Some say, “I can’t come to Sunday worship service. I can’t come to Bible study because I have exams, a friend’s birthday, or a family meal.”
Then I ask, “Do you put God below your exams, friends' birthdays, and family meal?” I used to repeatedly encourage and even beg such people to attend Sunday worship service and do Bible study. But I don’t do it anymore because I’ve realized that encouraging or begging them to worship God is actually disregarding their true value and faith. They always hide something for themselves but still pretend to do all to the Lord. To them, faith is just like a hobby. Ananias and Sapphira failed in this regard.
Sometimes, we attempt to deceive God—or, more accurately, we fall into the delusion that it is possible to lie to Him. Is it possible to lie to God? Of course not. Yet, the devil manipulates us into being foolish enough to try it. Ananias and Sapphira were truly foolish. They were blinded by human recognition out of envy and jealousy. Then the spirit of lying came into their hearts that they lied to God Almighty and Holiness. They perished.
Now, is it just their problem? We do the same thing. We pretend to be fully committed when we are not, or we constantly calculate and hide some or many but pretend or exaggerate to offer many or all. Now, what is the cause of the tragedy?
First, they sought worldly recognition
Everyone has an innate desire for recognition. When you hear, "You are sincere and good," It might be true or not. But when you hear such things, you might start to believe you are truly sincere and good. Be careful because such thought is dangerous. People’s evaluation for me is reference only. More often such evaluation is inaccurate.
In the Bible, those who are praised by people are usually not pleasing to God. Conversely, God was pleased with those who are persecuted and mistreated by people. Being persecuted or mistreated for the sake of Jesus and his mission is a strong indicator of faith, whereas an abundance of human praise is far more likely to be a sign of hypocrisy or falsehood. Therefore, when people recognize or praise you, you should consider the possibility that God might not be pleased with you.
The motive of Ananias and Sapphira’s devotion is not God-centered and for God’s glory but man-centered and for worldly recognition. Jesus says, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1) We have to ask ourselves. Am I doing for and seeking God’s glory or myself
Second, they did not become good helper for each other
Verse 1 says, “With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself.” They plotted together. If one of them said, “Honey, no. Don’t do that,” they both could have been saved.
Listen carefully, young men. If you’re about to commit a sin and the girl goes along with it or even rejoices in it, she is a "Sapphira." But if she tears her clothes in protest and says, "No, we can’t live like that! Let’s come to God faithfully in worship, prayer and mission," then don’t hesitate but marry her. Such a woman acts as a safety guard for your life. God created a woman for man as a suitable helper for God’s mission and happy life. Nowadays, many couples make a wrong choice like Ananias and Sapphira.
Proverb 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Here are two persons. If at least one person says, "We shouldn't do this before God," both can be saved. But Ananias and Sapphira were both blinded by greed and a craving for worldly approval, and as a result, both perished.
Not all fellowship within church is beneficial. Some cases, a fellowship or a relationship can actually be harmful. You meet that guy and feel good. Yet, you are more and more far away from worship, prayer and devotion. Instead, you engage in worldly and unhealthy activities outside the church. That is the "Ananias and Sapphira" dynamic. Conversely, you meet that guy. You are more and more close to God through worship, Bible study and prayer meeting. You are blessed because you have met a good friend or coworker or spouse.
Are we a spouse and a friend who edify one another? Or are we falling into degeneration together? The tragedy of the couple Ananias and Sapphira lies in their failure to advise and admonish each other. 'No, we must not live this way. We ought to live before God.' If you have a spouse or a friend who tells you this, you are truly blessed."
We have three "check systems" that keep our spirit and good morality alive. The first is conscience—there is nothing better than a healthy conscience. It must remain alive. When a person sins repeatedly, their conscience is intensely afflicted and agonized eventually killing their conscience. The worst price one pays for repeated sin is the death of the conscience. The conscience ceases to function. Then, though they do not come to worship service or Bible study or they chase worldly pleasures, they do not feel guilt and fear. This is a dead conscience.
Second, there is the word of God. You are to listen to the word of God again and again through weekly sermon, weekly Bible study and daily Bible reading. Then you are protected from corruption and the sleeping of death. That is precisely why the devil tries to keep you from hearing the word of God.
Third, companions—a spouse, friends, coworkers or parents. They are the ones who can say, "Don’t live like that. Go to worship service, Bible study and prayer meeting.” If you have such companions, you are safe.
You are the architect of your own life. Life is how you design it. I believe that you want a wonderful, productive and secure life. Then design a system that keeps your conscience alive, keeps you never stray from the word of God and surround yourself with companions who fear God. When you design this triple-layered safety net, you will never fall.
Third, they refused the opportunity to repent.
They conspired to lie. The moment Ananias presented the price of the land, the opportunity to repent was right there for him. When Peter rebuked him, he could have repented. His wife, Sapphira, also could have repented before Peter’s rebuke, saying, "I was wrong. I was not honest. Lord, please forgive me." However, they refused to repent until the very end and were judged.
There is none righteous in this world, not even one. All have lied and fallen short of honesty. The real question is whether you and I desire to repent. When you here the word of God, when your conscience is afflicted and when your friend or spouse or pastor admonishes you to repent, do you have the willingness and courage to confess your dishonesty before the Lord and seek His forgiveness and mercy? People do not go to hell because of their sins, but because they reject the opportunity to repent.
Lies cannot be hidden, nor can they remain concealed. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” The deceit and hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira were exposed before God and the church.
Abraham Lincoln said, 'A lie may work for a while, but it will not work forever.” Nevertheless, we still act and speak falsely before the Lord, under the illusion that our lies will actually work. However, we must know that falsehood and hypocrisy can never be hidden. Therefore, falsehood must be removed. There are two solutions for falsehood: one is to repent, and the other is to remove those who do not repent. Peter urged them to repent. When they did not, he removed them. Then, verses 11-13 took place. People feared God, the gospel was proclaimed more widely, and the Lord’s miracles appeared.
The Lord blesses and preciously uses honest individual, family, nation and church. In this money centered and oriented world, we must be honest than becoming rich with dishonesty. For the revival and blessing of the Book of Acts to manifest in our lives and church, we must cast away unacceptable falsehood and hypocrisy.
Are we willing to stand honestly before the Lord in all areas of our lives, including business transactions, even if it means taking a loss? This is the challenge that the text poses to us. We are all sinners. Let us come before God with our wickedness and sins, repent, and pray that He grants us a spirit of honesty.
Acts 5:1-16
2 Corinthians 3:17 says, "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." Freedom is being released from what binds us such as sin, worries, or unhealthy habits. When the Holy Spirit comes to us, we are liberated from these bonds and set free.
However, the devil seeks to bind us again. If a lying spirit takes the place of the Holy Spirit, we will be chained again. Persecution or suffering is not real crisis. The real crisis is being ruled by the spirit of lying leading us back into bondage of sin. This is what occurred in the early church.
The event in this passage is bizarre and shocking. Even at church, we can die while offering. A single lie can cost man his or her life. If we were all judged by such a standard, would anyone be left today?
After the Exodus, only Joshua and Caleb obeyed God but all other rebelled against God. Yet, God did not destroy them immediately. Instead, they lived forty years in the wilderness raising their children and died. Only the next generation entered the Promised Land.
Perhaps the reason we are still alive today is not because we are good but because for the sake of the next generation.
This passage tells the story of a couple who faced judgment when they lied. Most people recognize adultery or murder as grave sins. Then, do we regard lying to be a matter of life and death?
In Acts 4:36–37, Barnabas sold his property and put it at the apostles’ feet. He was deeply praised and respected as a man of devotion and encouragement in the early church.
Ananias and his wife, observing this, must have been envious of Barnabas. They also wanted to be respected and recognized in the church. Is it wrong? No. But there was something fatally wrong.
Look at verses 1-2. “Now (But) a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. 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.” Outwardly, they did exactly what Barnabas had done. However, the motive was different. After they sold their property, they kept some for themselves while falsely claiming to give all. As a result, they died. What is their problem?
After the Exodus, the Israelites conquered the formidable fortified city of Jericho. Right after victory, yet they were defeated by a small city of Ai. Under fear and discouragement, Joshua and Israelites prayed. God said to Joshua. "There is sin in Israel." God had explicitly commanded that no spoils from the conquered city were to be taken by the Israelites.
However, Achan had stolen a cloak, 200 shekels of silver, and 50 shekels of gold, hiding them secretly in his tent. Though the material value was ignorable, his greedy heart and action were a direct defiance of God’s command and brought greed and deceit into the community of Israel that just started to form a nation. After Joshua executed Achan, Israel gained victory once again. Achan’s greed and lying spirit became a grave obstacle, hindering Israel from forming a godly nation. Because Achan was controlled by a spirit of deceit, the entire community of Israel stood at risk of collapse. That is why Joshua put him to death.
The same incident took place in the early church. Peter discerned that this issue posed a crisis. He saw that a lying spirit, disguised devotion and greed could dismantle the church community.
While pretending to be fully devoted, this couple held back a portion of money for their own security. They attempted to gain both benefit (security) and a good reputation through a calculated form of devotion. But they faced judgment.
Look at verse 3. 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?” This is not merely a matter of money. It is about lying spirit seeking their own glory. For their own names and security, they lied to God. Verse 4 says, “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.”
While Barnabas’ motive of devotion was for God’s glory and church, Ananias and Sapphira acted out of envy and jealousy, offering a calculated devotion to win the recognition of others.
We come to church. I believe you devote your time and material to the Lord. Are we doing to glorify God or gain the approval of people? Are we doing with honesty? Or do we calculate and hide some but pretend to devote all to the Lord?
Love must be 100 percent. Would you marry someone who says, "I love you 50 % or 90 %"? Even in human relationships, there is no such thing as "90 percent" love. Is it possible, then, for man to love God at a 50 % or 90 percent level?
Ananias and Sapphira’s devotion was not 100 percent. Yet they lied to God and church claiming it 100 % devotion.
When you love something, I believe you pour your whole heart into it. I try always my best not to be late for Bible study because I love God and Bible study students. When that love cools, people come to the meeting late or stop coming. Some say, “I can’t come to Sunday worship service. I can’t come to Bible study because I have exams, a friend’s birthday, or a family meal.”
Then I ask, “Do you put God below your exams, friends' birthdays, and family meal?” I used to repeatedly encourage and even beg such people to attend Sunday worship service and do Bible study. But I don’t do it anymore because I’ve realized that encouraging or begging them to worship God is actually disregarding their true value and faith. They always hide something for themselves but still pretend to do all to the Lord. To them, faith is just like a hobby. Ananias and Sapphira failed in this regard.
Sometimes, we attempt to deceive God—or, more accurately, we fall into the delusion that it is possible to lie to Him. Is it possible to lie to God? Of course not. Yet, the devil manipulates us into being foolish enough to try it. Ananias and Sapphira were truly foolish. They were blinded by human recognition out of envy and jealousy. Then the spirit of lying came into their hearts that they lied to God Almighty and Holiness. They perished.
Now, is it just their problem? We do the same thing. We pretend to be fully committed when we are not, or we constantly calculate and hide some or many but pretend or exaggerate to offer many or all. Now, what is the cause of the tragedy?
First, they sought worldly recognition
Everyone has an innate desire for recognition. When you hear, "You are sincere and good," It might be true or not. But when you hear such things, you might start to believe you are truly sincere and good. Be careful because such thought is dangerous. People’s evaluation for me is reference only. More often such evaluation is inaccurate.
In the Bible, those who are praised by people are usually not pleasing to God. Conversely, God was pleased with those who are persecuted and mistreated by people. Being persecuted or mistreated for the sake of Jesus and his mission is a strong indicator of faith, whereas an abundance of human praise is far more likely to be a sign of hypocrisy or falsehood. Therefore, when people recognize or praise you, you should consider the possibility that God might not be pleased with you.
The motive of Ananias and Sapphira’s devotion is not God-centered and for God’s glory but man-centered and for worldly recognition. Jesus says, “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 6:1) We have to ask ourselves. Am I doing for and seeking God’s glory or myself
Second, they did not become good helper for each other
Verse 1 says, “With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself.” They plotted together. If one of them said, “Honey, no. Don’t do that,” they both could have been saved.
Listen carefully, young men. If you’re about to commit a sin and the girl goes along with it or even rejoices in it, she is a "Sapphira." But if she tears her clothes in protest and says, "No, we can’t live like that! Let’s come to God faithfully in worship, prayer and mission," then don’t hesitate but marry her. Such a woman acts as a safety guard for your life. God created a woman for man as a suitable helper for God’s mission and happy life. Nowadays, many couples make a wrong choice like Ananias and Sapphira.
Proverb 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” Here are two persons. If at least one person says, "We shouldn't do this before God," both can be saved. But Ananias and Sapphira were both blinded by greed and a craving for worldly approval, and as a result, both perished.
Not all fellowship within church is beneficial. Some cases, a fellowship or a relationship can actually be harmful. You meet that guy and feel good. Yet, you are more and more far away from worship, prayer and devotion. Instead, you engage in worldly and unhealthy activities outside the church. That is the "Ananias and Sapphira" dynamic. Conversely, you meet that guy. You are more and more close to God through worship, Bible study and prayer meeting. You are blessed because you have met a good friend or coworker or spouse.
Are we a spouse and a friend who edify one another? Or are we falling into degeneration together? The tragedy of the couple Ananias and Sapphira lies in their failure to advise and admonish each other. 'No, we must not live this way. We ought to live before God.' If you have a spouse or a friend who tells you this, you are truly blessed."
We have three "check systems" that keep our spirit and good morality alive. The first is conscience—there is nothing better than a healthy conscience. It must remain alive. When a person sins repeatedly, their conscience is intensely afflicted and agonized eventually killing their conscience. The worst price one pays for repeated sin is the death of the conscience. The conscience ceases to function. Then, though they do not come to worship service or Bible study or they chase worldly pleasures, they do not feel guilt and fear. This is a dead conscience.
Second, there is the word of God. You are to listen to the word of God again and again through weekly sermon, weekly Bible study and daily Bible reading. Then you are protected from corruption and the sleeping of death. That is precisely why the devil tries to keep you from hearing the word of God.
Third, companions—a spouse, friends, coworkers or parents. They are the ones who can say, "Don’t live like that. Go to worship service, Bible study and prayer meeting.” If you have such companions, you are safe.
You are the architect of your own life. Life is how you design it. I believe that you want a wonderful, productive and secure life. Then design a system that keeps your conscience alive, keeps you never stray from the word of God and surround yourself with companions who fear God. When you design this triple-layered safety net, you will never fall.
Third, they refused the opportunity to repent.
They conspired to lie. The moment Ananias presented the price of the land, the opportunity to repent was right there for him. When Peter rebuked him, he could have repented. His wife, Sapphira, also could have repented before Peter’s rebuke, saying, "I was wrong. I was not honest. Lord, please forgive me." However, they refused to repent until the very end and were judged.
There is none righteous in this world, not even one. All have lied and fallen short of honesty. The real question is whether you and I desire to repent. When you here the word of God, when your conscience is afflicted and when your friend or spouse or pastor admonishes you to repent, do you have the willingness and courage to confess your dishonesty before the Lord and seek His forgiveness and mercy? People do not go to hell because of their sins, but because they reject the opportunity to repent.
Lies cannot be hidden, nor can they remain concealed. Hebrews 4:13 says, “Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” The deceit and hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira were exposed before God and the church.
Abraham Lincoln said, 'A lie may work for a while, but it will not work forever.” Nevertheless, we still act and speak falsely before the Lord, under the illusion that our lies will actually work. However, we must know that falsehood and hypocrisy can never be hidden. Therefore, falsehood must be removed. There are two solutions for falsehood: one is to repent, and the other is to remove those who do not repent. Peter urged them to repent. When they did not, he removed them. Then, verses 11-13 took place. People feared God, the gospel was proclaimed more widely, and the Lord’s miracles appeared.
The Lord blesses and preciously uses honest individual, family, nation and church. In this money centered and oriented world, we must be honest than becoming rich with dishonesty. For the revival and blessing of the Book of Acts to manifest in our lives and church, we must cast away unacceptable falsehood and hypocrisy.
Are we willing to stand honestly before the Lord in all areas of our lives, including business transactions, even if it means taking a loss? This is the challenge that the text poses to us. We are all sinners. Let us come before God with our wickedness and sins, repent, and pray that He grants us a spirit of honesty.