The people of Tyre and Sidon—were dependent on Herod for food. So they tried to get an audience with King Herod by going through his personal chamberlain named Blastus. This attempt succeeded and a day was appointed for King Herod to make an appearance and an oration. The rest of the story is very brief. It is recorded here, “On an appointed day Herod put on his royal robes, took his seat upon the throne and made an oration to them. And the people shouted: “THE VOICE OF GOD AND NOT OF MAN!” IMMEDIATELY an angel of the Lord struck him because he DID NOT GIVE GOD THE GLORY and he was EATEN BY WORMS AND DIED.” (Acts 12:21–23)
In another incident of dishonoring God, “…certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession. 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? Then Ananias, hearing these words, FELL DOWN AND BREATHED HIS LAST. So great fear came upon all those who heard these things…about three hours later when his wife came in…Peter said to her, “Tell me whether you sold the land for so much?” She said, “Yes, Then Peter said to her, “How is it that you have agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord…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 5:1-3, 5, 7-11)
The 9th Commandment forbids all forms of lying. Why is this? “…it is IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO LIE…” (Heb. 6:18) We are “…in hope of eternal life which God, WHO CANNOT LIE, promised before time began…” (Titus 1:2) And then of course Jesus said, “I am the way, THE TRUTH, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) So, to make sure God gets the Glory listen to this: “…the hour is coming, and now is, when the TRUE WORSHIPERS will worship the Father IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. GOD IS SPIRIT, and those who worship Him…
MUST WORSHIP IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH…(John 4:23-24)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham