Beware of The Leaven of the Pharisees

Matthew l6:6...'Be careful', Jesus said to them, "Be on your guard
against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducess.'
In the scriptures, Jesus had done many miracles and yet the
Pharisees and Sadducess and Herodians (Mark 8:l5) still didn't believe
in Him. Shortly before, Jesus warned His disciples of the 'leaven of the
Pharisees'. The Pharisees and Sadducess came to Jesus and tested
Him by asking Him to show them a 'sign from heaven'...Matt. l6:I. Jesus
refused to give them a sign but promised them the 'sign of Jonah' as the
only evidence to come.

The 'yeast' or 'leaven' of the Pharisees was the subtle yet pervasive
influence the Pharisees exacted over others. Those who followed the
Pharisees might demand signs, but they would gradually increase in
unbelief until they had hardened their hearts.
This Man-Made Religion and teachings were pervasive as yeast in a
loaf of bread. Jesus denounced them on several occasions. Their
hypocrisy was a common theme. The Pharisees displayed an
adherance to the Law; but their hearts were full of unbelief and
sinfulness...(Mark 7: 6-13).

By warning His disciples against hypocrisy or leaven, Jesus sought to
keep His followers from this influence that would undermine faith and
corrupt their walk with God.
Believers today should heed the same warning from the Lord and

guard against their attitude and the temptation to take pride in Man-
Made teachings and Traditions and not by living their lives by the Spirit

of the Living God. For once a bit of Phariseeism is introduced into a
church, it can quickly spread.

Jesus warns us to 'beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. He knows
'man-centered' religion is a real and present danger to His true
Followers. Jesus calls us to be vigilant, to recognize, and guard against
Phariseeism in the church so that we can experience the true eternal life
that can only be found in Christ by His Holy Spirit living in us.

Phariseeism can say all the correct words and yet deny the gospel
with their lives. We can hold to the proper confession and creeds but
our hearts can be far from God. Their mercilessness, love of applause,
and trust in themselves over God all flowed from a refusal to adhere to
the truth of the scripture, a refusal to receive a righteousness that is not
of their own, and a refusal to see the need for a new heart that only
Christ could give.

Church...Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees!

Amen?

The Wilderness Pastor