June 23 — "Real Truth with a Real God"

Today's Reading: Acts 5:1-21

God knows everything, including our thoughts and motives. Trying to deceive Him? Impossible. Worse, it damages our relationship with Him. Lying to God isn’t just a mistake—it’s a heart issue that exposes a deeper spiritual problem. Scripture makes it clear: God desires truthfulness from His people. Psalm 51:6 declares, “Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being.” That’s more than just words—it’s authenticity at the core. Instead of hiding, He calls us to approach Him with bold sincerity and unwavering truth.

In Acts 5, Peter confronts Ananias and Sapphira—not for keeping money, but for lying about it. Their sin? Hypocrisy. They wanted to seem generous in the eyes of others without truly sacrificing. When they presented their offering, Peter—through the Spirit’s discernment—exposed their deception. They weren’t just deceiving people; they tried to fool the Holy Spirit Himself. That’s dangerous. They treated God as if He could be tricked like men. The result? Immediate judgment. Their rebellion carried serious consequences.

Before we judge them, let’s reflect on our own hearts. We may not blatantly lie to God, but we struggle with dishonesty—through self-deception, hypocrisy, or pretending to trust Him while relying on ourselves. We claim surrender but refuse to let go of control. We confess sin without true repentance. We worship half-heartedly, pray selfishly, and make empty promises. But here’s the hope: God isn’t demanding perfection—He’s inviting honesty. He already knows the truth, so why pretend? When we come clean, we step into His grace, freedom, and deeper intimacy.

What should we do?

✔️ Be honest with God in prayer—He knows everything anyway, so stop hiding!
✔️ Confess sins genuinely, trusting His mercy and grace.
✔️ Yield to the Holy Spirit, letting Him shape you into a person of integrity.
✔️ Reject hypocrisy and embrace authentic living before God and others.

May the Lord fill your heart with truth and free you from the burden of pretense. May He grant you joy in honest fellowship with Him. And may you rest in the peace that comes from walking openly before the One who knows and loves you completely.