Daily Jewel

By Pastor Carnell, McAlester, OK
Aug. 29, 2012
“Under Oath”
“Someone who holds back the truth causes trouble.” – Proverbs 10:10 (Good News Translation)

“Do you promise to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help you God?” After watching years of Perry Mason and Matlock I practically hear those words in my sleep. The meaning of them is clear—anything that is not the “whole truth” is not truth at all and if one is caught not telling the truth (under oath) there is thing called perjury and those who commit perjury are guilty under the law.
Perjury: “The deliberate, willful giving of false, misleading, or incomplete testimony under oath. The breach of an oath or promise.”
As Christians we are always, “under oath.” Meaning—we have a responsibility to lead lives that are straight—deliberate—and trustworthy. Whether we believe or not, like it or not, which is closer to reality than we like, we are being watched and listened to. That places a high level of expectation I know—but for Jesus’ sake it is worth it. And just a reminder, Jesus cares about His reputation.

Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.
Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.” When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened. Then some young men came forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.
About three hours later his wife came in, not knowing what had happened. Peter asked her, “Tell me, is this the price you and Ananias got for the land?”
“Yes,” she said, “that is the price.” Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Listen! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.” At that moment she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband. Great fear seized the whole church and all who heard about these events. – Acts 5:1-11

This event has always been somewhat troubling—not necessarily regarding Ananias and Sapphira’s tragic demise, but that it could have been avoided if they had only been upfront with Apostles from the very beginning.
We are not privy to the conversation this couple must have had prior to these events, but from all appearances they must have pledged to give the money from their land to the Apostles, which in turn was to be used for the Kingdom. Ananias and Sapphira must have had their own conversation where it was decided they would “hold back” some of the money for themselves. When Peter asked, “…is this the whole amount?” they both give the same account. The result—Perjury 101.
For those who may think God was callous in His indictment of these two consider Peter’s words when he told them literally, “It was your land to do with what you wanted.” Which was true. But at soon as they pledged it for the Kingdom—it became His property. Makes a bit of difference don’t you think?
Paul writes in 1st Corinthians: “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” (1st Cor. 6:19-20)
To repeat an earlier statement we have taken an oath to serve Christ and to live for Him according to HIS standards—not ours! Sir Walter Scott wrote: “O what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Solomon understood this! As a judge, he was able to see through people’s duplicity and get to the truth. He knew, as Jesus did too that a person’s oath was their bond. To purposely mislead for one’s selfish gain always has the possibility of a tragic end. (See John 8).
Stay true. Speak true. You’re under oath.