Jérôme Kerviel, a 31-year-old options trader at France’s second-largest bank, Société Générale, used the bank’s system to make unauthorized stock trades. When he was discovered, the high roller’s bets totaled $55b. To put it in perspective, the entire bank was worth only $35b. Talk about deception!

Ananias and his wife Sapphira, the famous deceivers of the New Testament, made a similar mistake. They sold off some land and then Ananias “brought part of the money to the apostles, claiming it was the full amount” (v.2), and pocketed the rest.

The kicker is that Sapphira okayed his deception! That’s why we can’t always rely on the people around us for ethical guidance—especially when they have something to gain. It is the Lord who “demands accurate scales and balances; He sets the standards for fairness” (Proverbs 16:11).

Since God sets the standards, it’s no surprise that He takes it seriously when we blow by them. A lack of integrity involves choosing Satan’s influence over the influence of the Holy Spirit. Think that’s harsh? When Ananias messed up, Peter said, “Why have you let Satan fill your heart? You lied to the Holy Spirit” (Acts 5:3).

Deceiving the Holy Spirit is not only wrong, it’s the impossible crime—we never get away with it. The Bible warns, “You may be sure that your sin will find you out” (Numbers 32:23). Confrontation is certain, and for Ananias it was deadly—”He fell to the floor and died” (Acts 5:5).

I doubt that Ananias viewed his double-dealing as a grave offense to God. He probably thought, “It’s no big deal. My wife thinks it’s fine, and no one will find out.” He was unaware that “people with integrity walk safely, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall” (Proverbs 10:9).