Most people sin, then proceed to make excuses that may go something like this:

• I didn’t realize what I was doing.
• I didn’t think.
• I didn’t know it was wrong.
• I was tired and that was the fastest way to get it done.
• It didn’t hurt anyone, so I don’t understand the big deal.

Ananias and Sapphira talked ahead of time about what they would do with the money from the property they sold. They planned to hold part of it back. Now, is that a sin to keep part of YOUR money for yourself? Of course not! The sin was what they led the apostles to believe, knowing that it was a lie.

When you say you are giving all and only give part, that is a lie. It was an intentional plan to lie, so an intentional sin. Whether they lied to get praise from the community of believers or just from pride, the lie was the same and had the same consequences. After all, they lied to God.

The consequence was immediate and severe and a warning to all of us not to plan to sin against the Lord and then expect all to be well.

Sapphira had no idea what was delaying Ananias’ return home, so she went to find out. Instead of choosing to be honest, she continues with the lie and she also dies right there where she stands lying. Intentional sin was followed by immediate and heavy consequences.

When I look around the world today at all of the sin and read the story of Ananias and Sapphira, I am struck by the intolerance of God for sin and know that one day the judgment will come. When we choose to sin, we are not just sinning against other people, but against God Himself.

When David committed adultery with Bathsheba, his consequences were also severe. He committed an intentional sin due to his lust. He didn’t control his desires and that led to one of his leading soldiers being killed by his command and the baby that Bathsheba was carrying died. Sin has a rolling stone effect like that. David repented, as evidenced by the scriptures in Psalm 51 and also his conversation with Nathan. The consequences affected not only David but the nation of Israel. Intentional sin leads to dire consequences, sometimes even if we have sincerely repented.

We can make all of the excuses possible about why we are choosing to sin, but our excuses won’t stand up before a holy God. Ananias and Sapphira were given the opportunity to repent and confess when Peter questioned them about their gift. They chose to stick to their lie instead. When the Holy Spirit tells us we are doing something we should not be doing, and we choose to keep on doing it, I think that we are intentionally sinning and we need to repent posthaste. God does not always “strive with men.” Sometimes He steps back and lets us go through the consequences for our intentional sins. No excuses allowed…just repentance and genuine sorrow and change.