24 FEBRUARY
Daily Bible Reading: Acts 5:1-25, Numbers 7-8
ANANIAS & SAPPHIRA: FULL OF LIE
No one asked Ananias to sell his land. But later we learned that Ananias and Sapphira sold it for a reason: deceived by Satan!
The early church was blessed by the generosity of the disciples. Nor was there anyone among them who lacked; for all who were possessors of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of the things that were sold and laid them at the apostles’ feet; and they distributed to each as anyone had need Ac.4:34-35. Then Satan took this occasion to deceive Ananias so that the early church would recognize and respect him and his wife among the generous. But no one can lie to the Holy Spirit!
Peter said: “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? You have not lied to men but to God Ac.5:3-4.” Ananias had let Satan keep filling his heart with all evil planning. It was so massive, so he needed to involve his wife as well. Unfortunately, Sapphira also let Satan fill her heart. Their death was a big warning to the church! Do not give place to the devil Eph.4:27! No one can hide the devil and its evil plan in the presence of the Holy Spirit. As we wait for the latter rain of the Holy Spirit at the end times, let us exercise ourselves to keep walking in truth and in light.
ANANIAS & SAFIRA: PENUH KEBOHONGAN
Tidak ada yang meminta Ananias untuk menjual tanahnya. Pada akhirnya kita mengetahui bahwa Ananias dan Safira menjualnya karena suatu alasan: ditipu oleh Setan!
Gereja mula-mula diberkati oleh kemurahan hati para murid. Tidak ada seorangpun yang berkekurangan di antara mereka; karena semua orang yang mempunyai tanah atau rumah, menjual kepunyaannya itu, dan hasil penjualan itu mereka bawa dan mereka letakkan di depan kaki rasul-rasul; lalu dibagi-bagikan kepada setiap orang sesuai dengan keperluannya Kis.4:34-35. Kemudian Setan mengambil kesempatan ini untuk menipu Ananias supaya gereja mula-mula mengenali dan menghormati dia dan istrinya di antara murid-murid lain yang dermawan. Tetapi tidak ada yang bisa berbohong pada Roh Kudus!
Petrus berkata, “Ananias, mengapa hatimu dikuasai Iblis, sehingga engkau mendustai Roh Kudus dan menahan sebagian dari hasil penjualan tanah itu? Engkau bukan mendustai manusia, tetapi mendustai Allah Kis.5:3-4.” Ananias telah membiarkan Setan terus mengisi hatinya dengan semua rencana jahat. Kejahatan itu sangatlah besar sehingga dia perlu melibatkan istrinya juga. Sayangnya, Safira juga membiarkan Setan mengisi hatinya. Kematian mereka menjadi peringatan besar bagi gereja! Jangan beri kesempatan kepada iblis Ef.4:27! Tidak ada yang bisa menyembunyikan iblis dan rencana jahatnya di hadapan Roh Kudus. Selagi kita menunggu hujan akhir Roh Kudus di akhir zaman, mari kita melatih diri untuk terus berjalan dalam kebenaran dan terang.