Acts 5
April Memory Verse: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Acts 1:8 NIV
Read: Acts 5
The Cost of Hypocrisy
What is a hypocrite? The dictionary defines a hypocrite as a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess - a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
As you may know, this word comes from a Greek word hypokrit, which was a stage actor. Someone who was pretending to be something they were not. That’s exactly what happened in Acts 5 with a man named Ananias and Sapphira his wife.
Everyone in the early church agreed to sell their possessions and pool all of their resources so that each one might be equal. Ananias and Sapphira, a part of that congregation agreed as well. But after they sold their things, they kept part of the money. It was theirs to keep of course – but they were hypocrites – they lead everyone to believe that they were bringing the whole amount. Peter said that Satan filled their hearts and they lied to the Holy Spirit. That never works! In that early church they dropped dead – both of them! I wonder how our lives would change if that happened at our church? Verse 11 says that great fear gripped the entire church. I’ll bet! That’s the understatement of the year…
I wonder how you and I act like that… how are we hypocrites? What are the ways in which we say one thing and do another? How do we lead people to believe something about us that simply isn’t true in order to be accepted or to have the praise of man? Have we even gotten to the place that we’ve convinced ourselves that something is OK when we KNOW that God says it isn’t?
The most important thing is to have a pure heart. The opposite of being a hypocrite is to have integrity. Integrity is truly being what you say you are. There’s protection and peace in that!
What needs to change in your life this week? In what ways are you living a life of hypocrisy? How can you begin to live with integrity?
By: Tim Parsons
Read: Acts 5
The Cost of Hypocrisy
What is a hypocrite? The dictionary defines a hypocrite as a person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that he or she does not actually possess - a person who feigns some desirable or publicly approved attitude, especially one whose private life, opinions, or statements belie his or her public statements.
As you may know, this word comes from a Greek word hypokrit, which was a stage actor. Someone who was pretending to be something they were not. That’s exactly what happened in Acts 5 with a man named Ananias and Sapphira his wife.
Everyone in the early church agreed to sell their possessions and pool all of their resources so that each one might be equal. Ananias and Sapphira, a part of that congregation agreed as well. But after they sold their things, they kept part of the money. It was theirs to keep of course – but they were hypocrites – they lead everyone to believe that they were bringing the whole amount. Peter said that Satan filled their hearts and they lied to the Holy Spirit. That never works! In that early church they dropped dead – both of them! I wonder how our lives would change if that happened at our church? Verse 11 says that great fear gripped the entire church. I’ll bet! That’s the understatement of the year…
I wonder how you and I act like that… how are we hypocrites? What are the ways in which we say one thing and do another? How do we lead people to believe something about us that simply isn’t true in order to be accepted or to have the praise of man? Have we even gotten to the place that we’ve convinced ourselves that something is OK when we KNOW that God says it isn’t?
The most important thing is to have a pure heart. The opposite of being a hypocrite is to have integrity. Integrity is truly being what you say you are. There’s protection and peace in that!
What needs to change in your life this week? In what ways are you living a life of hypocrisy? How can you begin to live with integrity?
By: Tim Parsons
9 Comments
One of the tough parts of getting to lead others in groups for Jesus is that you become hyperaware of your hypocrisy quickly. For example, last week I talked with my freshmen group at the BCM about biblical stewardship in areas such as time and money. Then I turned around this weekend and spent my unplanned free time poorly. That is the area I want to grow in this week. I want to use my free time to the glory of God more this week.
Super proud of you Jordan!
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Psalms 51:10
Anyone who has been through Prepare to Share training has learned and memorized this scripture. All Christians will struggle with sin until the day we are reunited with Jesus. However, choosing a lifestyle of sin while claiming Christ is hypocrisy. Psalm 51:10 is a daily prayer for me. I know there is nothing good in me and that I need the power of the Holy Spirit to honor Christ each day. Beginning the day with Bible reading and prayer tunes our hearts to the things of God and reminds us of our real purpose in this world regardless of profession. Blessings Jumpstart readers as we begin a new week in our respective mission fields.
Great prayer Mike! I’m thankful for you!
(v.1-11), What's the difference between today's church and the the church of these verses, for Ananias and Sapphira to die in their sins?
(V.15) Did Peter's shadow ever heal the sick? I don't believe so, but that's because I think it would detract from what is really going on here.
(V.20) "Go, stand, speak to the people" this is your calling. It is for me. It is for you. There is a time and a place for it. Your home, your school, wherever you place your hand to work. Pray for wisdom first.
(V.34) Gamaliel. He taught the apostle Paul. What are we to think of this man and this man's advice in this passage?
Thanks Korbet
I didn't make the Gamliel connection until you pointed it out, Korbet. Interesting to think about what he must have concluded after he saw or at least heard about Paul's conversion later on. Another interesting thing is how his argument at first infers that he is in favor of stoning Peter, et al., because he uses examples of movements that were squashed by putting the leaders to death. But then he argues to release them. Another one of those Biblical conundrums.
I feel like I struggle with hypocrisy in my desire for friendship & quality time with other people, juxtaposed with my need for more faithfulness in spending purposeful time each day with Jesus, the Best Friend.
What a passage! When in leadership roles of any kind, especially in the church, I find that my fear of being or appearing to be a hypocrite is one of the things that motivates me to do and say the right thing. That is also very difficult at times because of our sin nature. Thankful that God is there to guide us along and help us when we stray towards hypocrisy. Without letting him lead us, we would all be hypocrites. Praying that I can be a man of integrity in all things at all times.