Acts 5: Liar, liar...pants on fire!

In the movie Liar, Liar, Jim Carrey plays the role of a lawyer who is a divorced father. Surprisingly (wink, wink, nod, nod) he is a consummate liar to his ex-wife, son, and fellow coworkers. Throughout the movie, he uses his smooth talk to get himself out of situations or to garner a promotion at work. Then one day, his young son makes a birthday wish. He wishes that his dad can never tell a lie. So from that day on, Jim Carrey is not able to lie again and the adventure begins for him to be truthful with everyone.

In Acts Chapter 5, we find a married couple, Ananias and Sapphira. Ananias had just sold some property. He wanted to take that money and give it to the apostles just like others had done.

"For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the
money from the sales and put it at the apostles' feet," Acts 4:34-35

But here is the problem: Ananias (and his wife) kept back some of the money for themselves. They gave the impression that they gave it all, but Peter quickly detected their deceit.

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? 4Didn'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." Acts 5:3-4

What happens next? Ananias aka Liar I dies. Instantly. Right there! They scoop him up and bury him! Now his wife comes and Peter asks the wife a simple question. "Is this the money from your sale of the land?" "Yes," Sapphira says "this is the money". What happens next? Sapphira aka Liar II dies. Instantly. Right there! They scoop her up and bury her right next to her husband.

What is the point of the story? Don't lie? YES. God sees lying as a sin and there are consequences when we sin. Yes. But an important point is that God wants us to be truthful and honest with him. He demands truth over lies no matter if they are the little white lies we think we will get away with. Live honestly before God. Make it part of your character.

At the end of Liar, Liar, Jim's character discovers that life is better when we are truthful. He discovers that being truthful leads to a better life with his ex-wife and son. His relationships are real. What in your relationship do you need to be honest about? Jim got a second chance. Ananias and Sapphira did not. Won't you take a second chance with God so no one says to you, "Liar, liar...pants on fire."