“Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy.” (Luke 12:1 NIV) A little leaven leavens the whole lump [of dough]. (Gal. 5:9; I Cor 5:6)
Jesus repeatedly warns about the danger of hypocrisy, which is a form of deceit. Hypocrisy gives the appearance of walking in the light, but it is this same appearance of “godliness” that paradoxically allows a person to continue to hide in darkness.
Paul makes it clear that this is not merely an individual issue. Once these influences are allowed into a church, they spread through the whole system. If we lower our guard, the same forms of “leaven” threaten any church body which desires to proclaim the Gospel in both word and deed.
Nov. 10, 2023