The story of Ananias had always troubled me. Focusing on the deed and its consequences; I never saw the last part of the above verse: “why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost,”
Ananias was attempting to follow Jesus in his flesh; listening to the wrong voice. He had not fully submitted to Jesus!
Sounds like "the church" today!
I know it was me - for years!
We go about our merry way, only thinking of God when the bottom falls out and we cry out to Him to help us! We attend weekly services, singing "Oh How I Love Jesus", yet, are so busy we don't think about Him like we should! We don't read His Word! We don't pray! He is something else we "do!" We fill our lives with so many activities; we are never quiet and when we are in a quiet place, we are uncomfortable.
That is because we like Ananias have allowed the enemy to fill our hearts. We listen to his voice, all the while claiming to be filled with The Holy Spirit!
You say, "Is that possible?"
Yes, as long as we are in the world, the enemy will be whispering in our ears (sometimes quite loudly), but he never shuts up! He is always there spreading his lies, accusing you, God, and everyone else in which you come in contact; even strangers!
You have to learn his voice, and recognize his modus operandi! He is a thief and a murderer! He wants you dead!
“The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”
John 10:10 KJV
He can do nothing to you, though, if you are fully submitted to God! He only has power IF you choose to listen to his lies AND come into agreement with him! We come into agreement with him when we speak the words he has whispered!
When you have unrepented sin in your heart; unforgiveness, bitterness, fear, worry, and anger, then you are already in his camp; no matter how often you go to church or read your Bible; no matter if you do speak in tongues!
You are an Ananias!
If The Holy Spirit's presence was as evident in the church today as it was in its infancy, I dare say many of us would not be alive! I know I wouldn't be!
Ananias listened to the wrong voice, when he chose to deceive God!
Not every voice in your head is yours! The loudest, most incessant, most negative thoughts are from the devil! He never shuts up! He's alway rattling on about something or someone; trying to distract you, keep you busy so that You don't hear "THE small still voice" who is God! The one you come into agreement with, becomes your own thoughts!
At night when you are trying to go to sleep and "your head won't shut down" and the "thoughts just keep coming" - that is torment from the devil! He's stealing your sleep! But, you have a choice to whom you will listen! And there is only one way to fight the enemy; with your sword - The Word of God!!!
“Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” Isaiah 26:3 KJV
Jesus even battled the devil with the Word!
“Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.” Matthew 4:10 KJV
Who will you choose to listen to - today?
It IS your choice to come out of the darkness and repent!
You take the first step and you will find God!
He's right there waiting!
Even so - MARANATHA!
From 9/28/14
No comments:
Post a Comment