MLJ Trust Logo Image
Search
Sermon #2038

Why Has Satan Filled Your Heart?

A Sermon on Acts 5:1-11

Originally preached Jan. 16, 1966

Share Share on Twitter Share on Facebook
Play Sermon
btn-play
Download Sermon Add to Queue Add to Playlist

Scripture

Acts 5:1-11 ESV KJV
But a man named Ananias, with his wife Sapphira, sold a piece of property, and with his wife’s knowledge he kept back for himself some of the proceeds and brought only a part of it and laid it at the apostles’ feet. But Peter said, “Ananias, why has Satan filled …

Read more

Sermon Description

Why is there so much evil in the world? Why is it that none of humanity’s efforts to end war, death, and poverty succeed? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says the problem is found in the fact that the world is overrun by the devil, and he has blinded people so that they cannot see the light of God’s grace and love. It is seen in Acts 5 when Peter asks, “Ananias, why has Satan filled your heart…?” This evil is not simply the absence of good character and good deeds, but it is militant opposition to God and His rule. This is why all attempts to make the world a better place by education, human works, and moralism are ultimately futile and ineffective. Until sin and the devil are recognized as the root and source of suffering and evil, all will continue in godless ways, seeking to bring peace to the world by their own wisdom and power. In order for true transformation to take place in the world and in the hearts and minds of sinners, there must be the acknowledgement of God and his Son, Jesus Christ. For without Christ there is no hope in this life or in the next. For all stand condemned before God, and it is only by believing in the death and resurrection of Christ that sinners can be saved and brought into the kingdom of God.

Sermon Breakdown

  1. The sermon begins by establishing that the world is in a state of trouble and confusion. There is only one message that can provide hope - the message of the Christian Church.
  2. However, the world does not believe the message of the Gospel because it does not see the need for it. The world fails to recognize the true nature of the human condition and the forces set against humanity.
  3. The world has a superficial view of the human condition. It only focuses on human conduct and behavior. It believes human problems are solely due to a lack of knowledge and understanding.
  4. In contrast, the Bible teaches that the heart is the source of human problems. The heart is deceitful and desperately wicked.
  5. King David and the Pharisees are examples of how the problem lies in the human heart, not just the mind. The human heart loves darkness rather than light.
  6. The story of Ananias and Sapphira shows how the heart is deceitful and wicked. They lied to the Holy Spirit and thought they could deceive God. This illustrates the foolishness and deceitfulness of the human heart.
  7. The human heart deceives itself, thinks it is clever, and believes it can deceive others and even God. But God cannot be deceived.
  8. The world also has a wrong view of the forces set against humanity. It does not recognize the existence and power of Satan and evil. It believes human problems are due to a lack of knowledge, not the work of Satan.
  9. In contrast, the Bible teaches that Satan and evil are real forces that enslave humanity. Sin reigns over people and makes them slaves. This is the only adequate explanation for the human condition.
  10. The Gospel is the only hope for humanity. It addresses the real problems of the deceitful human heart and the power of Satan. Only Jesus Christ can deliver people from sin, death, and condemnation.
  11. The story of Ananias and Sapphira illustrates why people do evil things and do not worship God. The answer is that Satan fills their hearts. Only faith in Christ can save people from perishing.
  12. Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by calling people to realize the state of their hearts, turn from darkness to light, and find new life in Jesus Christ.

Sermon Q&A

What is the Main Message of Martyn Lloyd-Jones' Sermon on Ananias and Sapphira?

Based on Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones' sermon on the story of Ananias and Sapphira from Acts 5:1-11, the main message is that mankind's fundamental problem is not intellectual but spiritual, rooted in the corrupt human heart and influenced by satanic powers.

What does Lloyd-Jones identify as the real problem with humanity?

Dr. Lloyd-Jones identifies that the real problem with humanity is not merely in our conduct or thinking, but in our hearts. He states: "The trouble isn't in the mind of men. The trouble is in the heart of men. And any view of men which doesn't realize that the heart is the thing that matters is already doomed to failure." He emphasizes that the heart is "deceitful above all things and desperately wicked" (quoting Jeremiah 17:9).

How does the story of Ananias and Sapphira illustrate human nature according to Lloyd-Jones?

According to Lloyd-Jones, the story of Ananias and Sapphira perfectly illustrates:

  1. The deceitfulness of the human heart - they thought they could deceive both people and God
  2. Human pride and self-deception - they believed they were clever enough to "get the best of both worlds"
  3. The influence of Satan - as Peter asked, "Why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost?"
  4. The fatal consequences of sin - their immediate judgment shows that sin is not trivial

He points out that Peter's question to Ananias, "Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart?" reveals the root of the problem.

Why does Lloyd-Jones believe modern approaches to human problems are inadequate?

Lloyd-Jones argues that modern approaches to human problems are inadequate because:

  1. They are superficial, focusing only on conduct and behavior
  2. They treat problems as merely intellectual, believing education alone can solve them
  3. They fail to recognize the corrupt nature of the human heart
  4. They deny the reality of Satan and spiritual warfare
  5. They view evil as merely the absence of good rather than a positive, objective force

He states: "It is because the heart is desperately wicked and deceitful... It's because men is the slave and the dupe of the devil."

What solution does Lloyd-Jones offer to the human condition?

The solution Lloyd-Jones offers is the gospel of Jesus Christ. He explains:

  1. Only God can save us - "Man cannot save himself. God must save."
  2. Christ came to defeat Satan and evil - "The Son of God should come into this world... should meet the devil and evil in all the power of their might and defeat them."
  3. Christ took our punishment - "He died to bear our punishment. His body was broken, his blood was shed."
  4. Through faith, we receive a new heart - "Believing in him should be forgiven, should be cleansed... should be given a new heart and a new nature and a new life."

He concludes that what people truly need is not more education but "a new heart that can love the light and hate the darkness."

The Book of Acts

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.