The Leaven of the Pharisees
This morning our men began our study of Luke 12. The chapter begins with more teaching against the practices of the Pharisees and the Scribes. In fact, Jesus delivers some very stern warnings in this passage. I hope you will read the whole thing for yourself. I want to focus in on the first warning of Luke 12. Jesus said, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees which is hypocrisy."
Jesus uses the analogy of leaven, because yeast exerts its influence on a whole lump of dough after it is applied to the mixture. It is a symbol of how sin can spread from one person to the next until the society is permeated by sin. In this case it is the sin of hypocrisy. The word hypocrisy means to put on a false front to try to cover up what is really in your heart. No one can cover up a hard, deceitful heart, because God sees all, and He will make sure it is revealed over time.
The most terrible thing is that hypocrisy spreads. People begin to think it is OK to put on a nice front, but not really be serious about loving and serving the Lord. It spread in Jesus' day, and it still spreads today. We must do whatever it takes to be real and avoid hypocrisy at all costs. It destroys our testimony and our credibility. We need to let our true heart shine through for all to see. After all, Jesus knows it all, and He will deal with us based on the heart, not on the outward appearance.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 7-9.
Jesus uses the analogy of leaven, because yeast exerts its influence on a whole lump of dough after it is applied to the mixture. It is a symbol of how sin can spread from one person to the next until the society is permeated by sin. In this case it is the sin of hypocrisy. The word hypocrisy means to put on a false front to try to cover up what is really in your heart. No one can cover up a hard, deceitful heart, because God sees all, and He will make sure it is revealed over time.
The most terrible thing is that hypocrisy spreads. People begin to think it is OK to put on a nice front, but not really be serious about loving and serving the Lord. It spread in Jesus' day, and it still spreads today. We must do whatever it takes to be real and avoid hypocrisy at all costs. It destroys our testimony and our credibility. We need to let our true heart shine through for all to see. After all, Jesus knows it all, and He will deal with us based on the heart, not on the outward appearance.
Tomorrow, I intend to read Matthew 7-9.