The Fine Print: A Half-truth is a whole lie.

Apr 7
5 min read

Updated: Jun 19

"The Lord detests lying lips, but He delights in people who are trustworthy." — Proverbs 12:22

This Is Not a Message of Judgment—It’s a Call to Truth

📖 John 8:32 – "Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Please hear me when I say this: This is not a message to cast judgment. This is a message to invite us deeper into the truth. It’s a message to teach us the importance of how we use our words.

If we truly want to reflect the image of Christ, we have to shift from the mindset of:

“This is just how I’ve always been.”
“My life is none of your business.”

Because here’s the truth: Your life is the business of the Kingdom of God. Every decision you make, every word you speak—it all matters. It’s all in the fine print.

God, in His love, gives us choice—and that is the evidence of real love.

A dictator forces submission.
A ruler demands obedience.
But our Heavenly Father? He gives us the power to choose.

And with that power comes the responsibility to choose truth. So I pray that today, light is shined on the truth—that we must pause and process our words before we tell a lie.

A Lie That Cost Everything:

The Story of Ananias and Sapphira

Lies come in different forms. Some are bold and intentional, others are small and subtle—just enough to manipulate a situation.

But every lie carries weight. In Acts 5:1-11, a couple named Ananias and Sapphira learned this the hard way.

A Deceptive Plan

During this time, the early church was built on unity, generosity, and trust. Believers sold their possessions and gave to those in need.

A man named Barnabas had just sold his land and given all the money to the apostles. He wasn’t seeking attention—he simply had a heart to give.

But Ananias and Sapphira wanted the recognition—without the sacrifice.

They sold their land—but secretly kept some of the money for themselves.
They gave the rest to the apostles, pretending it was the full amount.
Their goal? To look more generous than they actually were.

The Confrontation

Ananias brought the money to Peter, expecting praise. But Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, saw through the deception:

"Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and keep back part of the proceeds of the land? … You have not lied to men, but to God." — Acts 5:3-4

The moment Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died. Three hours later, his wife Sapphira walked in—unaware of what had happened. Peter asked her if the amount they had given was truly the full price of the land. She could have told the truth. She could have chosen honesty. Instead, she doubled down on the lie.

Peter said:

"How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also." — Acts 5:9

And she too fell down and died.

The entire church was shaken. Fear filled the hearts of everyone who heard what had happened. Why? Because God was making it clear—honesty and integrity matter in the Kingdom of God.

Why Was This Lie So Serious?

At first glance, we might wonder—wasn’t this just a small lie? They did give money, after all. They could have simply said, “We’re giving part of the proceeds,” and everything would have been fine. But their sin wasn’t about money—it was about deception.

They Wanted to Look More Generous Than They Were!

Ananias and Sapphira wanted praise from people without the genuine sacrifice.
Instead of being honest, they lied to gain spiritual status.

They Lied to God, Not Just to Men!

Peter made it clear: "You have not lied to men, but to God." (Acts 5:4)
Lying to people is bad enough, but lying to the Holy Spirit was an act of direct rebellion against God.

Their Lie Corrupted the Church!

The early church was built on unity, honesty, and a spirit of generosity.
If God had allowed their deception to go unpunished, it could have spread like a disease in the church.

This Story Spooked Me…

I won’t lie—this story shook me when I first read it! I thought, Jesus, this couple literally dropped dead! If you haven’t read this story in Acts, I highly recommend it. It’s an eye-opener.

It shows how serious our Father is about the condition of our hearts. But here’s what stood out to me even more—the lie started with a thought. A plan!

Ananias and Sapphira didn’t just slip up and tell a lie in the moment. No, they had already agreed on their deception before they met with Peter.

This reminds us to guard our hearts, because everything we do flows from it (Proverbs 4:23).
This reminds us to cast down every lie from the enemy before it takes root (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Because that’s where deception starts—not with the words, but with the intention.

Ok, Let Me Put My Business Out There…

Whew. Here we go. Let me just be real with y’all for a minute.

I used to have an online boutique. And y’all know how people judge success by how many followers you have, right? Well, I wanted to look successful. Guess what? I tried to finesse my numbers. I even called it "speaking by faith." Whew—thank You, Jesus, for grace!

And guess what? It didn’t work! Shocker, right?!

Because my heart was all wrong. I made the numbers my goal—but I lost sight of the mission. And guess what? I paid for it. That was a hard lesson, but I’m willing to share my truth if it helps someone else.

So now? I’m writing this blog, and I don’t care about numbers. Because this is not about Zaressa. I trust my Father with the results!

I Choose His Way.

I choose the non-traditional way.

I choose to follow my Shepherd.

I choose to trust God with my heart, my mission, my purpose.

And my personal prayer?

"Lord, please keep my heart clean."

Because at the end of the day? It’s not about the numbers, the platform, or the status.

It’s about Him.

And that? That’s the real success. 💙🔥

Final Encouragement: Choose Truth

Lying may seem small in the moment, but God sees the big picture. The story of Ananias and Sapphira is a warning—but it’s also an invitation.

✨ An invitation to pause before we speak.

✨ An invitation to check our motives.

✨ An invitation to choose truth over convenience.

Because when we choose truth—we choose freedom.

🔥 Let’s walk in integrity. Let’s choose truth. Let’s reflect Christ in all we do. 🔥

Prayer:

Thank You for showing us the power of truth. Forgive us for the times we’ve been dishonest—whether with others, ourselves, or even You. Help us to walk in integrity, knowing that You see us, know us, and love us completely.

Teach us to value honesty over human approval and to trust You in all things. May our words reflect Your truth, and may our hearts be aligned with Yours.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

See you next week friend!