A Little Leaven
Galatians 5:7-9 ESV
“You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
Paul is addressing a problem in the church in Galatia. They had been taught the way of the Lord through grace and mercy, but a legalism had entered into the church. It was a Jewish faction that was causing a rift in the church to go back to Jewish traditions which included circumcision and other aspects of Mosaic law.
Those that started this rift also questioned Paul’s legitimacy of being a true Apostle of Jesus Christ. Paul wanted to know who had caused this contention, but more importantly he wanted to appeal to the church to get back to grace and mercy in Jesus Christ and not legalism of the law. Paul stated that this contention was not mandated through Jesus but was of Jewish origin trying to mix Judaism into Christianity. Paul makes a profound statement; “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”
What is leaven?
When a person mixes leaven (a lump of old dough that has been fermented) into a lump of dough (to help it rise), it works its way through the entire lump. It does not just affect part of the dough; it affects all of the dough.
When people come into our lives and begin to teach us foreign ideas that do not line up with God’s word, it begins to infiltrate our entire lives. This leading astray always starts off small and then grows rapidly if it is not severed immediately.
I have seen it in churches more times than I care to admit. It typically comes from a pastor on staff or other staff members. Most of the intentions were to split the church for their own gain.
If someone comes to you and teaches you anything but Jesus, grace and mercy and the truths found in God’s word, run away from them, a little leaven leavens the whole lump.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, give all of those reading this devotion this morning the wisdom to understand what is and is not from You. Give them the Spirit of Discernment. Give them a holy anointing to silence the deceptions that the enemy tries to plant in their minds and hearts. I ask in the name of Jesus, Amen!