#17 Question: Can Satan fill your heart?

We are stimulated by various means. TV is usually one of the strongest stimulants. Remember the Saturday morning cartoons and the advertisements for scrumptious Snickers Candy Bar that made your mouth water? And how one Saturday after seeing three different programs, you took a nickel from your mother’s purse, walked a block to the 7/11 store, and bought yourself a Snickers candy bar. Your Mom saw the chocolate around your mouth and knew immediately what you had done. You were punished severely for taking the nickel.

Two people in the Bible were also stimulated to sin. Peter explained to the husband, Ananias, how it had happened, Acts 5:3-4:

“Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back for yourself part of the proceeds of the land? While it remained unsold, did it not remain your own? And after it was sold, was it not at your disposal? Why is it that you have contrived this deed in your heart? You have not lied to man but to God.”

  Earlier, several in the Jerusalem church had sold land or houses and given the proceeds to the apostles to help relieve the hungry, Acts 4:34-37:

“There was not a needy person among them, for as many as were owners of lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold and laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need. Thus Joseph… sold a field that belonged to him and brought the money and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

These acts of giving were apparently viewed as gracious acts of charity. Ananias and his wife Sapphira decided to partially do the same, Acts 5:1-2:

“…a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet.”

They wished to deceive. They lied by implying that what they had given was all the money they had received for the land when it was only a part. Peter, an inspired apostle, knew of the deceit and labeled it as an incident where Satan had filled their hearts to lie.

How did this happen?

Satan is always ready to inspire and encourage us to lie. Ananias and Sapphira apparently wanted whatever praise went along with the giving of money. But their love of money caused them to keep back part of it and pretend they had given it all. This is what happens when we allow Satan to fill our hearts with the wrong kind of desires.

From Peter’s comments, we learn:

  1. They had not been commanded to sell their land and donate the money.
  2. Once they had the money in hand, it was their decision as to what to do with it.
  3. When we allow Satan to cause us to be part of deceit, we lie to God.
  4. The Holy Spirit who inspired Peter knows all about our hearts.

Note also that they did not have to fall to this temptation. The Apostle Paul tells us that God always provides us a way to escape from temptation, 1 Corinthians 10:13:

“No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.”

The answer to the question posed in the title is yes. Satan can fill our hearts when we allow him to do so.

#Annanias #Saphira #stimulateSin #SellLandGivePart #deceive #canOvercomeTemptation #liedHolySpirit #LiedGod #noCommandSellLand #selfDecision #donateVoluntary #Acts4:34-5:4