Read: Matthew 23:27
Many Christians run after self-styled prophets and preachers seeking answers for their problems. False prophets use their vain words to deceive the innocent people and extract money from them. Jesus warned people to watch out for false prophets who disguised themselves as innocent sheep, but are ravenous wolves (Matt. 7:15). In Matthew 23, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees for their love of getting honour from people in market places, getting best seats when attending a wedding, for their fake long prayers to get attention, for neglecting weightier matters of the Law and their love for being addressed as “Rabbi.” Jesus addressed them to be like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful but inside they are full of dead men’s bones. They pretended to be holy, which they were not. Do not believe a person who speaks so graciously, there are seven abominations in his heart (Prov. 26:25).
Ananias and Sapphira sold their property and laid only part of the money at the apostles’ feet. They lied to the Holy Spirit and kept part of the money which was for God’s work. Probably they wanted to get the glory from others for their good deed of selling their property and giving it for God’s work. God knows the heart. He knows the true nature of every man. Ananias and his wife Sapphira died due to their dishonesty (Acts 5:1-11).
With so much religion around us, and with so many people speaking language of the church, it is easy to sound pious and religious. But what is beneath the surface? Our testimony must be a genuine result of our relationship with the Saviour. Jesus clearly said that, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matt. 7:21-23). We should always remember that on the judgement day, every hidden motive will be exposed.
