“Then immediately she fell down at his feet and breathed her last. And the young men came in and found her dead, and carrying her out, buried her by her husband.”
Acts 5:10 (NKJV)

READ: Acts 5:1–11

The event that took place in the Jerusalem church—in the matter of a couple, Ananias and Sapphira—was God’s discretion through the Holy Spirit. The couple wanted to impress the church and gave with a deceptive heart (Acts 5:1–10). It was not Peter who prayed that they should die, but God Himself judged them. The Scripture says any sin against the Holy Spirit is not forgivable (Luke 12:10).

At times when God deals with, chastises, or punishes some people who are around a minister, they would think the minister must have prayed that the punishment should be meted out on them. The truth is, the minister himself might be shocked when God at times punishes or disciplines those who do wrong.

For example:
• In the case of Miriam and Aaron who rebelled against Moses, Miriam became leprous (Numbers 12:1–16). It was not Moses who prayed that Miriam should become leprous; it was God who became angry at what the two of them did against Moses (Numbers 12:4–10). In fact, it was Moses who had to plead and pray for her healing and restoration (Numbers 12:13–15).

• Another example is the case of Absalom who plotted a coup against
his father. He was able to get all Israel on his side, but God did not allow him to succeed in his wicked plot (2 Samuel 15:12,13; 17:14). Though David was Absalom’s father and did not want him to die (2 Samuel 19:5), but he had to, because he had touched the anointed of God (2 Samuel 18:1–17; Psalm 105:15).

In fact, God used nature to fight for David. The Bible says those who were killed by the woods were more than those who were killed by swords (2 Samuel 18:8).

The couple, Ananias and Sapphira, were judged by God through the Holy Spirit. Peter did not command or pronounce death on them, but God by Himself through the Holy Spirit chose to judge them instantly—they lied to the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:3–10).

Peter said to Ananias:
“WHY HAS SATAN FILLED YOUR HEART TO LIE TO THE HOLY SPIRIT . . . ” (Acts 5:3).

And in the next verse, verse 4, Peter said: “YOU HAVE NOT LIED TO MEN BUT TO GOD.”

This is why it is important that whoever is living or working with a minister of God should be careful about how they behave and comport themselves around the minister.

Note:
• A genuine minister of God should not be lied to, deceived, or manipulated (Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9). If you have ever deceived God’s ministers before and you are still in the habit of
doing it, repent now and amend your ways.

Reflect:
• Do you have a genuine reverence for the presence of the Holy
Spirit?
• Are there any ways in which you not been honest with those in
spiritual authority over you?

Peace.

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