“And the disciples came to the other side of the sea, but they had forgotten to bring any bread. And Jesus said to them, “Watch out and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:5-6).
Leaven raises the dough and permeates the whole. This world is filled with the leaven of sin. Jesus warns us to watch out for that which raises your feelings of anger or self-righteousness. It can be a small thing that grows in you. The life Jesus offers depends upon Him. Though the gift of faith He will rid the wicked thinking of this world from your mind to see things as they are and not as those around you or you want to see them.
Lord, our minds are polluted with many kinds of things. Help us to move through the leaven of this world to see things as You would have us see them. Guide us in Your goodness and mercy to know that only in You is there hope and true life. You have given us the sign to look at. Because He lives, He offers a way for all to live. All the other things in this world are secondary. Lead us into You to live life as You created it to be lived.
Lord Jesus, by the power of Your Spirit, guide me through the pollution which has ravaged my thinking. Guide me into the life for which I have been created. In Your goodness and mercy, by grace, continue to lift me out of the pit of the wickedness that has permeated my thinking to come to the place where I learn to love You above all things and love my neighbor as You love them. Amen.
