Unmasking Our Hearts

In a world where filters and carefully curated social media feeds have become the norm, where we can choose the face we present to the world with a single click, we often find ourselves standing on a precarious tightrope of authenticity and deception.

When we walk into these doors we can choose what part of us we want others to see. We want people to see the best us, not necessarily the “real” us.

As we walk this line, we may begin to ask ourselves: How much of what we present to the world reflects the true state of our hearts? What mask are we wearing?

I want you to imagine for a moment that you're standing before a mirror, not just any mirror, but a mirror that reflects not just your physical appearance but your soul, your spirit, your heart. What would you see? Would the reflection surprise you?

Today, we dive into a story from the early church, a story that wrestles with this very issue.

It's the story of Ananias and Sapphira, two believers whose desire to appear more spiritual than they were led them down a path of destructive hypocrisy.

Through their story, we will confront the epidemic of inauthenticity that permeates our world and often seeps into our spiritual lives.

Our hope is to emerge with a renewed desire for authenticity, a deeper understanding of God's holiness, and a commitment to unmask our hearts.

So, join me as we unmask our hearts and seek the truth behind our facades.

First, let’s look at...

The Face of Hypocrisy

Acts 5:1–2 NKJV

1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 2 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.

Let’s look to the heart of this issue. Ananias and Sapphira.

The names mean "God is gracious" or “God has given” and "beautiful," yet, their actions painted a picture far from grace and beauty.

They sold a piece of property and decided to give a portion to the church. Sounds commendable, right?

But, they portrayed it as if they were giving all the proceeds, not just a part.

Their hearts were shrouded with deceit, and the mirror of their souls reflected hypocrisy. They weren’t honest with God, the church, or even themselves.

The fundamental problem was not that they kept some of the money.

No. Peter confirmed in verse 4 that they were free to do as they wished with it. Their sin was in their deceit, their lie, their pretense of holiness and extreme generosity, a mask to earn the admiration and applause of others.

Contemporary Connection;

But let’s not merely point fingers at Ananias and Sapphira. Let’s bring this home.

Today, we find ourselves living in a world saturated with curated images, picture-perfect lives plastered across social media, the relentless pursuit of validation, the presentation of "holier than thou" images, within and outside the church.

We don’t want to let people see what we’re really like.

We don’t want them to hear that we get depressed. Or that we get anxious.

It could be the boasting about how holy and moral we are yet not being actively engaged in obedience to Jesus by not actively sharing our faith.

The echoes of Ananias and Sapphira’s hypocrisy ring loud in our era.

C. Challenge:

Today, I want us to confront our own hearts.

This is the challenge: To practice self-reflection, to foster honesty, and to encourage authenticity in our spiritual journeys.

You see, it’s easy to wear a mask, to play a part.

But the call of Christ is not to a superficial faith, but to a faith that's genuine, that transforms us from the inside out.

Are we aligning our public spirituality with our private faith?

When no one is looking, do we still choose to live out the teachings of Christ?

Let's reflect upon these questions this week. Let's dare to remove our masks before God, who sees everything anyway.

Let's strive to be the same person in darkness that we are in the light, to have the same devotion in private that we exhibit in public.

Because authenticity is not the enemy of spirituality, but its deepest friend.

Next let’s look at...

The Consequence of Deception

Acts 5:3–6 NKJV

3 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? 4 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.” 5 Then Ananias, hearing these words, fell down and breathed his last. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things. 6 And the young men arose and wrapped him up, carried him out, and buried him.

In our account, the consequences for Ananias were pretty bad.

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, saw right through the deceit.

He confronted Ananias, stating, "Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back some of the price of the land?"

We learn a crucial lesson here. Ananias lied not merely to men, but to God Himself. And the punishment was severe.

Upon hearing these words, Ananias fell down and died. A profound shock swept through all who heard this news.

This story is a stark reminder of the severity of God's judgment on those who purposely deceive and attempt to create a facade of spirituality.

It's a hard pill to swallow, but it shows us the grave significance of honesty and integrity in our walk with God.

B. Modern Relevance:

So, what does this mean for us today? What are the consequences of dishonesty in our time?

While we may not drop dead on the spot as Ananias did, dishonesty brings its own form of death - the death of relationships, trust, and spiritual growth.

When we're dishonest, we erect a wall, not just between ourselves and others, but also between ourselves and God.

We halt the process of sanctification in our lives, as we prefer to live in darkness rather than step into the light of God's truth.

Socially, when our dishonesty is revealed - and it usually is - the damage to our reputation can be severe and lasting.

Trust, once broken, is incredibly hard to rebuild. And within the church, hypocrisy and deceit can cause immense harm, sowing seeds of distrust and discord among believers.

C. Application:

In light of this, we are called to a higher standard. We are urged to cultivate confession and transparency in our relationship with God and with others.

We need to remember that there's no point in hiding anything from God - He knows our hearts.

So let's approach Him with authenticity, confessing our shortcomings and seeking His guidance to overcome them.

This week, let's start by being transparent in our prayers. Let's tell God our real struggles, our genuine doubts, and our true aspirations.

And then, let's carry this transparency into our relationships.

If we've been dishonest or hypocritical in any way, let's confess and seek forgiveness.

It won't be easy, but the freedom and authenticity we'll experience in our relationships will be worth the discomfort.

In essence, let's strive for hearts unmasked and lives lived in genuine spiritual integrity.

Because in the end, it's not about how we appear to others; it's about how we stand before God.

Next, let’s look at...

The Shared Sin

Acts 5:7–10 NKJV

7 Now it was about three hours later when his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. 8 And Peter answered her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, for so much.” 9 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.” 10 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.

The narrative takes a grim turn as we shift to Sapphira, Ananias's wife.

She walks into the scene not knowing her husband is already dead.

Peter confronts her with the same severity, asking whether the amount they claimed to have received for the land was the full price.

Sapphira, sticking to the lie, affirmed it was. She, like her husband, chose to maintain the deceit, only to meet the same chilling end.

Sapphira suffers the same fate as her husband, emphasizing the shared responsibility in their deception.

It's a stark reminder of how our choices, particularly our sinful ones, can affect others, particularly those closest to us.

B. Contemporary Example:

Let me share a real-life example of how shared sin can play out.

We had a deacon in our church back in Alabama. He was active in the church and also looked to like a pillar of the community.

But he harbored a secret: he was engaged in financial deception, siphoning off church funds for personal use.

When the truth eventually surfaced, the fallout was devastating. The church chose not to press charges, but the emotional and spiritual damage was extensive. He repented, and immediately began repaying what he had stolen. His actions eroded trust within the community, leaving a deep wound that took years to heal.

C. Challenge:

This part of our story today calls us to consider the influence we exert over others, especially within our closest relationships.

How are our actions and choices affecting those around us? Are we leading others towards integrity and truth, or are we, intentionally or not, pulling them into a web of deception?

As members of the body of Christ, we're responsible not just for our personal spiritual health, but we also play a role in the spiritual health of our community.

So, let's strive to be agents of truth, authenticity, and integrity.

This week, consider the impacts of your actions on those around you. Are you being a positive influence that leads others towards truth and godliness? Or are there areas of shared sin that you need to address and rectify?

Remember, it's not just about our personal journey but about how we contribute to the spiritual journeys of those around us. Let's aim to be catalysts for spiritual growth and authenticity in our communities.

And lastly, it led to...

The Fear of God

Acts 5:11 NKJV

11 So great fear came upon all the church and upon all who heard these things.

The repercussions of Ananias and Sapphira's choices rippled through the early church.

This wasn't a paralyzing terror, but a deep reverence and awe for God's holiness and justice. It was a reminder that God is not to be trifled with; He is serious about integrity and truth.

This 'great fear' served as a course correction for the early church.

It was a sobering wake-up call that God's grace doesn't negate His justice, His love doesn't negate His holiness, and His mercy doesn't negate His intolerance for sin.

B. Modern Connection:

In our culture today, we often emphasize God's love and grace, sometimes to the point of ignoring His holiness and justice.

While it's essential to understand and experience God's love and grace, we must balance this with a healthy respect and reverence, a holy fear of the Lord.

Think of it like electricity. It's incredibly beneficial—we use it to light our homes, power our devices, even cook our meals. But we also respect its power and potential for harm.

We don't stick forks in outlets or grab bare wires. We appreciate the power of electricity, and that appreciation includes a healthy level of fear and respect.

God's love for us is limitless, and His grace is overwhelming. But He's also a holy and just God. Our response to Him should be more than casual familiarity; it should include deep reverence and awe.

C. Application:

So, how do we cultivate this healthy fear and reverence for God?

One of the key ways is to regularly immerse ourselves in Scripture. As we read the Bible, we encounter the multifaceted nature of God—His love and mercy, yes, but also His holiness, justice, and righteousness.

As you spend time in the Word this week, ask God to give you a fresh perspective on His character. Seek to understand Him in His entirety, not just the comfortable aspects of His love and grace.

As we develop a holistic understanding of God, our response will become one of deeper reverence and awe.

Let's approach God with the respect He deserves, remembering always that He is not only our loving Father but also the Holy and Just Creator of all.

Next Steps:

Be honest with others around me: This week, set aside time for self-reflection and self-assessment. Honestly evaluate your own spiritual life and look for any discrepancies between what you profess and how you live. Are there areas where you're putting on a spiritual facade, trying to appear more spiritual than you truly are? Prayerfully identify these areas and make a commitment to align your actions with your stated beliefs.

Confess and Make Amends: If you identify areas of hypocrisy or dishonesty in your life, don't ignore or excuse them. Instead, bring them to God in confession. Remember that God is gracious and willing to forgive when we come to Him in honesty and repentance. If your actions have harmed others, take the necessary steps to make amends, including admitting your wrongs and seeking forgiveness.

Deepen Your Understanding of God: Spend time in God's Word each day this week, focusing especially on passages that speak of God's holiness and righteousness. Ask God to give you a deeper understanding and respect for His character. As you read, consider how your life can better reflect the awe and reverence that God deserves.