Matthew 16:5-12
New
International Version 1984 (NIV1984)
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take
bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we
didn’t bring any bread.”
8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why
are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do
you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five
thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or
the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How
is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on
your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling
them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the
Pharisees and Sadducees.
First
of all, I am amazed that the disciples were so concerned about bread when Jesus
had just performed two miracles where He had multiplied the bread. What is even more amazing is that they
thought that is what Jesus was concerned about.
How many of us are the same way? Just
like the disciples we talk amongst ourselves and try to figure it out. Doing so, sets us up to fall into the same
trap as many of the people of Jesus time who blindly followed what the leaders
said because they were the leaders.
There
are many scriptures in the Word of God that tells us that we should listen to
our leaders, submit to our leaders . . . yet Jesus is telling His disciples to
watch out for the leaders of their day.
Should we too be alert to what our leaders are telling us? I say a resounding, “yes”! My dad taught me to be on guard for false
teachers and leaders as does the Word of God.
This is just one place that Jesus warns against the teachings of the pharisees
and sadducees. In Mathew 7:15 and
Matthew 24:11 Jesus warns us against false prophets. He even says they will perform
great signs. Then in I Timothy 1:3 – 7 Paul warns Timothy against men who want
to be teachers of the law but they don’t know what they are talking about.
Just
this week I heard about a man that took millions of dollars from people
claiming to be a believer and telling them that their money would help
others. Many people gave up their life
savings because they believed that this man was telling them the truth. He had been endorsed by mega church leaders
and people blindly followed him. What do
we do to avoid this type of thing from happening? How do we know when we are in contact with
the growing yeast that feeds lies and that is unhealthy? Many times these false teachers and prophets
will say just enough truth to suck you into their way of thinking. They will demand that you bow to their every
wish and whim, that you respect them because of their position, yet they will
live the life they want to live which may be contrary to the Word (maybe even
contrary to what they teach) these are red flags. But to truly be protected from them we need
to seek Him with all our hearts. We need to be into the word of God and we need
to not only listen to that Word and be doers of the Word. Ask the Lord today for wisdom and a
discerning heart and as you encounter those who claim to be teachers of the
Word.
Seek
Him, find Him, and do it with all your heart.
Seeking
Him with all my heart,
Sheila
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