This is the scripture that jumped out at me this morning. Many teachers warn others about the dangers of developing a “religious spirit” or a “religious mindset.” Those phrases used to bother me as religion that’s pure and undefiled is what God wants. But this isn’t the religion those teachers were referring to. No, they are warning people, as Jesus did, to beware of the yeast of the Pharisees.
The Pharisees were like those who probably went to church only to uphold their reputation in the community while ignoring the needs of others. They totally missed the heart of God as they weren’t drawing near to Him with their hearts. They would have probably been like those who would praise God on Sunday but then mistreat their waitress at lunch afterward. They were the “I’m better than others” kind of people. These people were supposed to be those looked to for spiritual guidance. They didn’t carry shepherd hearts for God’s people. As I write this, I pray that my actions or words will never hinder others from hearing the truth about who Jesus is.
My thoughts took a turn as I considered Herod’s yeast. I honestly hadn’t thought much about his yeast before. I wondered, “Could it be that his yeast referred to more than what I have been categorizing it to be? Could this yeast, in its fast growth, be referred to as a “political spirit?” I searched to reference the practices of Herod’s followers and found some interesting things.
The Herodians held positions of political authority and power over the people. They were a party that supported and preferred submitting to the Herods for their political leadership (Rome.) Their Herodian platform stood in opposition to that of the Pharisees. The Pharisees felt that the Herodian Jewish followers were dangerously compromising their independence.
Both parties had different ideas about what the Messiah would look like and what they would do regarding their political state. As different as they were, they both opposed Jesus. They wrongly exalted their opinions and goals as more important than the eternal purposes they should have focused on.
I had always assumed Herod’s leaven was broadly categorized under a prideful desire for control, but it’s so much more than that. As I look around at the world we live in today, I think we are very much in danger of this yeast. I suppose you could call it a “political spirit” or mindset. Whatever you call it, I’ve decided to guard my heart and mind against it!
As a citizen of heaven first, I must take careful precautions to keep first things first, never letting the religious or political chaos and division destroy or disrupt God’s will for my life. Anything taking that place of value and importance in my life can become an idol worshipped in Jesus’s place. He should always have preeminence, or 1st place, in my life!
As we are in a heated political transition, I urge you to guard your hearts and minds. Let us hold fast to root the Word of God, keeping Jesus first and our opinions in check. Let’s not forget this world is not our home. We have a higher goal: to share the good news of Christ with a lost world. Any argument that would hinder the gospel from bearing fruit in and around us isn’t worth winning.
Beware of the yeast, my friends!
