Pastor Leon’s SOAP:  Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
October 15, 2022: SOAP #4699: Malachi 3-4; Psalm 148; Acts 5

SCRIPTURE:  Acts (NIV) 5:3Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? 4 Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied to men but to God.”

OBSERVATION:  There was no requirement for them to give it all.  But they desired the esteem of giving the full amount of the sale, so they pretended to give it all.  I doubt that Ananias and his wife sat down to figure out how they could lie to the Holy Spirit.  Maybe they did not even think of it as a lie.  Surely if they had considered that the Holy Spirit would be listening to their words and evaluating their actions, they would have done it different.  The following verses give the results.

APPLICATION:  Jesus has made His dwelling IN me.  I am a temple of the Holy Spirit.  He hears every word I speak.  He knows everything I do.  There is great comfort in knowing that He will never leave me.  There is confidence in knowing that He helps me.  There is great peace in knowing that He loves me and understands my circumstances. 

HOWEVER. He also knows every word I hastily speak in anger.  He knows what I am doing when no one is watching.  I may fool people, but I can never fool God!   There is no way I can keep something hidden from Him!  

PRAYER:   Lord Jesus, You are the welcomed and honored guest in my life.  It is my desire to always please you and never offend you. May those who hear the words I speak and see what I do easily understand that you the Lord of my life.  Amen

Pastor Leon
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