The sobering account of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11) stands as a warning against hypocrisy and deceit. In the earliest days of the church, a married couple tried to gain recognition by presenting themselves as more generous and spiritual than they truly were. Their deceit was a lie to the Holy Spirit. God’s immediate judgment of death upon them shocked the entire church and served as a lasting warning that hypocrisy and self-exaltation have no place in the household of God.

Ananias and Sapphira sought the admiration of others while trying to hide the corruption in their hearts, which God could plainly see. We see similar hypocrisy and deceit today in the New Age movement and in pastors who boast and elevate themselves instead of pointing to God’s Word in context.

New Age influencers and prosperity preachers often present a façade of spiritual power, worldly success or being holier-than-thou while concealing sin, pride, or exploitation. The story of Ananias and Sapphira unmasks the danger of such hypocrisy and calls believers to walk in integrity before our holy God and our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The Biblical Account

The context of Acts 5 is essential: at the end of Acts 4, Luke describes the unity and generosity of the early believers. They shared their possessions freely, and some sold land or houses to support the community. One striking example was Barnabas, who generously sold a field and laid the proceeds at the apostles’ feet (Acts 4:36-37).

Immediately following this account, Luke records the contrasting story of Ananias and Sapphira. They sold a piece of property but secretly kept back part of the money for themselves while pretending to give the full amount.

Ananias presented the offering to the apostles, and Peter by the Holy Spirit’s discernment confronted him: “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?” (Acts 5:3). Peter clarified that the land was theirs to do with as they wished, so their sin wasn’t in withholding money but in lying about it to appear more spiritual. Immediately, Ananias was struck dead.

Three hours later, Sapphira entered, unaware of her husband’s death. When Peter asked her directly if they’d given the full price, she also lied. As a result, Sapphira too fell dead at Peter’s feet. Fear came upon the entire church and upon all who heard of the events (Acts 5:11).

The severity of God’s judgment shows the seriousness of hypocrisy and deceit in His presence. This should instill or increase the fear of God in believers. Yes, God is loving and forgiving. However, God is holy and just and hypocrisy is a serious sin deserving wrathful judgment.

Let’s examine the sins of Ananias and Sapphira:

• Deception: They lied and concealed keeping part of the proceeds from the land sale, pretending greater generosity than was true.
• Hypocrisy: They sought spiritual recognition without earning it.
• Testing God: They treated the Holy Spirit as though He could be deceived.
• Pride: They craved admiration and status more than faithfulness to God.

Peter’s words made it clear that the property was theirs to manage. Their offering could’ve been partial without sin if they’d been honest. So the issue was spiritual, not financial. They attempted to purchase a reputation for holiness by offering a false image to the church while lying to God. This was a foolish and disastrous decision on their part!

Peter declared, “Why has Satan filled your heart?” (Acts 5:3). The language echoes Judas in John 13:2, where Satan entered his heart to betray Christ. Ananias and Sapphira conspired together in willful deceit (Acts 5:9), yet their hypocrisy was part of a larger spiritual battle. Satan, who had failed to destroy the church through persecution (Acts 4), now attempted to corrupt it from within through sin and hypocrisy.

This teaches us that Satan’s strategies including invading the church with hypocritical people. Hypocrisy in the church is as destructive as hostility from the world. I’ve met women who left the church after witnessing hypocrisy there. Their faith was shipwrecked and they entered the New Age as a result. These deconstructing women probably weren’t saved, yet leaving the church would have reduced their likelihood of hearing the saving Gospel of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Parallels with New Age Influencers and False Prosperity Gospel Teachers

The sins of Ananias and Sapphira are visible today in the New Age movement, where appearance often matters more than truth. Influencers project an image of enlightenment, peace, and spiritual success, curating their platforms to appear as models of wisdom while hiding moral corruption or exploitation. They may boast of generosity or healing powers but behind the scenes they’re exhibiting selfish ambition (Philippians 2:3-4; James 3:14-16) as they pursue wealth, fame, and recognition.

Similarly, in prosperity gospel circles, some leaders present themselves as selfless servants of God, while living in secret luxury and manipulating people with false promises. Like Ananias and Sapphira, they crave the reputation of holiness but despise the call to humility and honesty.

The danger of such hypocrisy is twofold is that it dishonors God and deceives others. Just as Ananias and Sapphira sought the admiration of the early church, modern spiritual figures seek followers, fortune, influence, and recognition often at the cost of truth.

God’s wrathful judgment of Ananias and Sapphira underscores the reality of the Holy Spirit’s personal presence in the church. To lie to the apostles was to lie to God Himself. Their deceit was a public offense against the Holy Spirit dwelling in the community.

This reveals that hypocrisy in the church is a spiritual affront. God demands truth in our inward being (Psalm 51:6). To hypocritically present a false image of holiness while hiding sin is to deny the Spirit’s holiness and grieve His presence.

Enduring Lessons

• God values integrity over image. It’s better to give little with honesty than much with deceit.
• Hypocrisy is deadly. It corrupts the church’s witness and invites God’s discipline.
• The Holy Spirit can’t be deceived. God knows the heart and exposes hidden motives.
• Fear of the Lord is essential. Acts 5:11 emphasizes that great fear came upon the church and this reverence protected the community from false devotion.

Barnabas in Acts 4 provides the contrast to Ananias and Sapphira, because his generosity flowed from genuine devotion to Christ. Barnabas wasn’t seeking recognition as he unceremoniously laid the gift at the apostles’ feet. His example led to encouragement and blessing, while their hypocrisy led to judgment.

Well, this same contrast exists today because true disciples serve Christ out of love and a desire to glorify God. True believers are given a new heart that desires to obey and glorify God. Unsaved false converts seek admiration, increased finances and more followers. The difference can be seen in inward motives.

Ultimately, the account of Ananias and Sapphira (like all the Bible) points us to Christ, who is the truth. Jesus humbled Himself to the point of death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). His life, words, and heart were selfless and focused upon service.

Jesus’ example calls us to walk in truth as He did. The Gospel frees us from the need to pretend or perform, because our identity and acceptance are secure in Christ. We don’t need to project false holiness since believers are clothed in His righteousness.

The tragic story of Ananias and Sapphira serves as a warning for every generation that hypocrisy before God is deadly. To lie to the Holy Spirit and try to seek spiritual recognition without repentance, is to trifle with holy fire. Yet this also reminds us of God’s mercy, for He preserves His church through discipline and calls us to walk in integrity.

As we read in God’s Word: “Having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another” (Ephesians 4:25). The Holy Spirit isn’t deceived by outward appearances as He sees the secrets of the heart and He calls us to live as humble servants of Christ, who alone is the truth (John 14:6; Psalm 44:21; 1 Corinthians 4:1,5; 14:25).

For more from Doreen please visit her page at Servants of Grace or at our YouTube.