The Bewares: "the Leaven"

We live in a day when I Timothy 4:1 is being fulfilled that in the latter times some will fall away from the faith…Throughout the New Testament we are warned by Jesus and the apostles to BEWARE. The word "beware" means…"to turn the mind to, attend to be attentive… to a person or a thing: of caring for…" Another word that means the same thing is TAKE HEED…which means "to see with the eyes, to see with the mind, to perceive, know."

Throughout this week, I want to take a look at the BEWARES through the scriptures. Because we too today must beware and take heed , if not, we could find ourselves falling or drifting way from Christ while being deceived by the enemy.

#1 – BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES (probably the most common beware in the gospels)

Mat 16:6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mat 16:11 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?
Mat 16:12 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.

The corrupt principles and practices of the Pharisees and Sadducees are compared to leaven; they were souring, and swelling, and spreading, like leaven; their doctrines and teachings fermented whatever and whoever received it. The leaven of the Pharisees inflated men up with pride, embittered them with malice, and made what they do for God unacceptable before Him. It made their religion a "cloak of maliciousness.” This is why 1Corinthian 5:8 says, Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.

So how do we serve God? I Corinthians 5:8 says with sincerity (purity) and truth. How do we "keep ourselves unleavened?" Psalm 119:140 says, Thy word [is] very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it. Wow, there it is! God's word is pure, it is my job to desire it, want it, and love it. If I can do this, I can successfully beware of false doctrines that lead to pride, malice, and wickedness.

This is my prayer for you and me, that we will "love the pure word of God." I encourage you this week to get God's pure word in you. Read, memorize it, meditate on it, LOVE IT!