Beware of Two Things
In three of the Gospels: Matthew, Mark and Luke we see a warning from Jesus concerning two things. Jesus says there are two things to avoid. The political spirit and the religious spirit. Let’s look at these scriptures starting with Matthew. “Don’t you understand? I’m not talking about bread, but I’m warning you to avoid the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Then finally they realized he wasn’t talking about yeast found in bread, but the error of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.” Matthew 16
Why the Pharisees? The Pharisees refused to have anything to do with the common people because they saw themselves as separated unto Yahweh. Jesus referred to them as religious frauds who wanted to have the final say on all doctrines that was taught to the people. They demanded their interpretation of the Scriptures. They were law keepers and loved money. This is the religious spirit, which demands its way.
Who are the Sadducees? They were wealthy priests, aristocratic families and merchants with political connections to Herod. They didn’t believe in the afterlife, angels or the miraculous. They strictly wanted the law of Moses, and they loved politics. They demanded their own way.
“And as they were sailing across the lake, Jesus repeatedly warned them, “Be on your guard against the yeast inside of the Pharisees and the yeast inside of Herod!” Mark 8
“Jesus turned to his disciples and warned them, “Beware of the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. It permeates everything they do and teach, like leaven, serving their own interests.” Luke 12
Jesus uses the word yeast to warn us even a little bit of either one of these will permeate our entire belief system and we will lose our way to who we are really called to be. If we are His beloved children, then why do we wear other labels He warns against? Jesus never wore a coat of any denomination nor was He a part of a political party. We are called to be lovers of Yahweh!
As a lover you set your everyday life to be with Jesus, to talk to Him, and listen for His voice. This union should radically change our whole lifestyle. Truth is most of us have only been introduced to the religious agenda when it comes to church which is often influenced by politics. Our own appetites have made our choices for us, and it has left us malnourished in our hearts and spirits.
We are called to be exclusively His Bride. Peripoiesis which means belonging exclusively to one. This week we’ve been talking about what we are saved for- On Earth as it is in Heaven. Nothing on earth changes until it happens in us first.
Today, I encourage you to walk with Abba asking Him to reveal any area you have allowed the leaven of religion or politics to permeate your beliefs. We often don’t realize the trap we are in until we allow Him to shine the truth on those areas. Remember Song of Songs? “You must catch the troubling foxes, those sly little foxes that hinder our relationship. For they raid our budding vineyard of love to ruin what I’ve planted within you. Will you catch them and remove them for me? We will do it together.” He never asks us to do something on our own other than surrender to His wisdom and guidance and even then, He gives us the grace to surrender our will to His.
