Then Some Young Men Came Forward, Wrapped Up His Body, And Carried Him Out And Buried Him

“And he kept back part of the proceeds, his wife also being aware of it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself? While it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not in your own control? Why have you conceived this thing in your heart? You have not lied to men but to God.” Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him. Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look, the feet of those who have buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out.” 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. So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭5‬:‭2‬-‭11‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://bible.com/bible/114/act.5.2-11.NKJ

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This Scripture is a very important message to us Spirit filled believers today.
We wonder why life can be so tormented and challenging, but it’s all part of the package.
Trials and challenges are designed to teach, test, and build faith. It is a transformation of our very character.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
But to come to the place of perfect peace, their cannot be any offence or un-forgiveness in one’s heart (MATHEW 6:14-15) and repentance must be heart felt and every effort must be made to change. Repentance is to turn from a sinful action towards God. We cannot continue in sin and expect change.
But if one does his best, God will do the rest.
It all sounds impossible, but God, gives us the desire to do what pleases Him and the power to do it ( PHILIPPIANS 2: 13).
Empty words will not fool God, nor evict demons, and if it does, it is because they choose to come out purposefully, for they will come back with other demons more powerful than before, and that person will be in a worse state than he was before being delivered (MATHEW 12:44-45).
The stories of the Old Testament were very real, outward physical things that really happened.
But today, in the New Testament times, these biblical stories are inward spiritual situations that manifest into the physical realms, bringing all kinds of curses and trials and tribulations to all believers.
But it is encouraging to know that we have authority to crush the enemy under our feet.
Ananias lied about the price he got for his land to keep some of the proceeds for himself and his wife.
This happened in a house of gathering. He laid the proceeds at the apostles feet and was immediately challenged.
Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the price of the land for yourself?
The presence of God and the glory of the Lord in the room killed Ananias, because sinful flesh cannot survive in God’s presence.
Shortly after, his wife arrived, and continuing in the lie, died too.
God and sin do not mix.
When a Spirit filled believer slips back into sin, the holy Spirit retreats, but when operating in Christ righteousness by faith, manifests through the flesh to produce the fruits of the Spirit.
But when one receives the gift of the Spirit, a battle begins from within, for the flesh had dominion over one’s soul, his mind will and emotions, but now the spirit challenges the flesh and its lust, to walk in obedience to Spirit and put to death the lust of the flesh (GALATIANS 5:16-26).
We humans are made up of three parts, spirit, soul, and flesh.
When one receives the gift of the holy Spirit, God’s Spirit joins or testifies with his spirit (ROMANS 8:16) through covenant and that man is saved, for “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭1‬:‭13‬-‭14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Consequently, the holy Spirit leads him to operate in obedience.
The flesh not willing to give up its lust, fights back with all kinds of whispers and temptations to fulfil its lust.
Sin separates one’s flesh from God and his physical protection is lost, opening doors for demons to enter into the flesh to operate through the soul.
Once in, they will bring all kinds of health issues, both physical and mental, torment and addictions, like squatters they move in to your body and make it their home.
Furthermore, demons enter not just through one’s own sin, but through the sins of our ancestors.
Paul understood the influence that demons have on their victims, saying “So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it. And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. I don’t want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. But if I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭14‬-‭20‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Even Paul suffered at the hands of demons, but he continued, saying, “I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭7‬:‭21‬-‭25‬ ‭NLT‬‬
The good news is, these demons are subject to Spirit filled believers and have the authority to cast them out.
James put it like this, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”
‭‭James‬ ‭4‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬
In other words, submit your life to Christ, turn from sin toward God. Having done that, rebuke the devil, that is to call them out, and they shall flee from you.

All glory to God forever and ever! Amen