Acts 5 Verses 1-11 tell the story of Ananias and Sapphira, the couple who sold some land and gave a portion to the apostles.  The problem was.. they lied about it.  They seemed to have claimed to give the whole amount that they received for the property, but  really it was just a "portion" of it.  The problem, as Peter explained, was not how much they gave or didn't give.. the problem was that the two of them together deliberately decided to  lie about it... 

Peter understood that Satan had "filled" their hearts.. to lie to the Holy Spirit.  They had allowed the spirit of deception.. the father of lies.. to lead them in this interaction with the Church of Christ.. to lie to the Spirit of Truth! 

Because of their actions both Ananias and Sapphira died.. separately.. on the very same day. "And great fear came upon the whole church and upon all who heard of these things." (v11) 

God was at work bringing men and women into His kingdom.  He used the apostles to do "signs and wonders".  But.. He also used this situation with Ananias and Sapphira to bring to light the Truth.  Coming to believe in Jesus Christ; living in the Spirit of the Lord; becoming part of God's church and kingdom.. is a sacred covenant with the Holy, Almighty God of heaven and earth.  Only by His great mercy and grace are we saved.. only by His great power and love are we forgiven and sanctified.  Had Ananias and Sapphira repented and spoken the truth.. they would have been forgiven.  But, they did not.  Satan tried to use them to bring disunity into the church.. and the Lord stopped that without hesitation. 

Unfortunately, it happened again soon enough.  Even worse, it still happens now. 

Father in heaven, You are our Holy and Perfect God, and we are Your humble servants .  We need Your Spirit to fall fresh on us.. day by day and hour by hour.. so that we might walk in Truth and live in obedience to Your Holy Word.  Help us we pray.  Jesus has overcome the enemy and by His holy Name we ask for cleansing and wholeness in Your Church. Break down the gates of the enemy. Lead us in righteousness and deliver us from  the lies and deception of the enemy we pray.. in Jesus' name. Amen.