And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread. Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
(Matthew 16:5-12)
(Matthew 16:5-12)
Today’s Morsel: One of the things about leaven (yeast) is that it will make bread rise. Throughout scripture, we see that God told the children of Israel to not eat bread with leaven in it. Jesus told His disciples to beware of the leaven (doctrine and teaching) of the Pharisees and Sadducees. The Pharisees were prideful and hypocrites. They said one thing and did another. And the Sadducees were the elite, the high priests. They ruled with control and power. We are starting to see these two sects resurfacing in churches today. Jesus did not caution us about this for nothing. He knew that the New Testament Church would face this teaching and He wanted us be aware of it. Many do not understand that pride and hypocrisy are evil leavens. One can easily be deceived by it in their dress and appearance, preaching and teaching, and not even realize it. This is why I believe scripture never shines pride and hypocrisy in a positive light. They are always associated with evil. The other is power and control. Abraham Lincoln said, “If you want to see the character of a man give him power.” Controlling and ruling with uncontrolled power will show your true colors every time. Possessing a Jezebel spirit will kill any ministry and church. Therefore, we must remain humble before God and not allow these leavens of evil to enter into our churches and ministries. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9).
Sing: Let me walk with you Jesus, don’t ever leave me alone. For without You I could never, no never make heaven my heaven.
Thought For Today. “A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump” (Galatians 5:9)
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