Gò0dNews for Everyone
Partners in Crime: Non-Romantic ow could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also” (Acts 5:9). Have you ever been asked by your spouse or asked your spouse, “If I ever commit a crime, would you ‘have my back?” Translation—“Will you snitch on me or help me cover the crime?” Ananias and Sapphira must have asked one another this before committing the crime of withholding
money from the Holy Spirit after selling a piece of their property (see above Bible verse). In a way, they remind me of Bonny and Clyde. They may have loved each other even through a crime of selfish gain. But what happens when one combines this kind of “love” with crime? Consequences for committing a crime may end in picking up trash along highways, being locked behind bars, and others, or even worse, death. Couples do not have to commit a crime physically to be charged but mentally, they can cause their very own life. Although we are to support our spouses by submitting to one another, this does not mean committing a crime with them even if we have knowledge that our spouse committed a crime— “With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but bought the rest and put the rest at
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the apostles’ feet” (Acts 5:2). Take note that Sapphira did not withhold money for herself, but that what caused her death was the knowledge of her husband’s crime in which she lied about in Acts 5:8-9. Speaking of lying, “You have not lied just to human beings, but to God” (Acts 5:4). Ouch! There should be a sign with a friendly reminder in our minds that say, “Caution: If God has called someone out to do a mission, know they are protected by the Holy Spirit. God will not allow them to be fooled.” How embarrassing to be seen as the married coupled that lies. But even more embarrassing and ashamed and flirting with death when lying to the Almighty! God knows everything! He knows our thoughts and actions before we commit them… separately or together with someone. Let us not allow Satan to fill our hearts with greed just as he did Annanias heart that it causes us to lie to the Holy Spirit. We are to guard our hearts and if we can, do our best to try to protect our spouse’s heart by encouraging them to do what is right. This could be a possible alleviation of terrible consequences when crimes are committed. We should hold one another accountable for our actions. Consider this: “Two are better than one…If either one of them falls down one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10). Annanias and Sapphira could not help one another up, because they both had fallen. The conclusion and lesson in Annanias and Saphirra’s story: they both lied to the Holy Spirit in one way or another. And both paid the price and still where left with nothing in the end. About The Author
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by Nikki Hill
Nikki Hill is a graduate from Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, with a Bachelors in English. She has a beautiful family and one day hopes to be a teacher and inspirational speaker.
