Why Do I Do What I Don't Want to Do?Sýnishorn

Right before the story in today’s Scripture reading, a man named Joseph (also called Barnabas) sold a field he owned and brought the money to the apostles for them to use for the sake of the church. What a picture of generosity! Ananias and Sapphira also sold a piece of land, but in their case, they only claimed to give all of the proceeds to the apostles. They actually kept some back.

Both died as a result.

Now, as you read that story your first thought was likely, wow, that escalated quickly! Both Ananias and Sapphira dropped dead within three hours of each other . . . but why?

Some would tell you their sin was greed, but verse 4 explains they could have used the money any way they wanted, but they lied. Why did they lie?

The sin behind their sin was perception management (or inauthenticity, depending on how you want to label it). They wanted to appear as if they were more holy and righteous than they were. They wanted the same applause and approval they just saw Barnabas receive.

Here is the thing: if you believe there is a God, then you know he knows the whole truth. If you go to God and don’t deal with the whole truth, you are just playing this weird religious game. And you can look up five or ten years down the road and find yourself thinking, maybe I don’t even believe in God. I’ve just been playing spiritual games. You have been living out a counterfeit version of Christianity. It’s eating away at your soul and causing you to miss out on the abundant life Jesus offers.

In his letter to the church in Galatia, the apostle Paul writes this: “Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10).

We can’t serve Jesus and serve the opinion of others at the same time. It can’t be done.

To what degree might your Christian life depend on playacting rather than genuine faith?