An Infection of Leaven (Luke 12:1-2)

Infections are a peculiar type of disease. A few bacteria, parasites, or viruses will not cause an illness in most people. It is only when the microbiological load, or quantity of microbes, is high enough, that the body’s immune system is overwhelmed and the destructive effects of the organism are revealed. Interestingly, it is usually not the the physical organism that does the most damage (unlike an object such as a bullet or knife) but rather the toxins that either the microbes produce or induce the body to produce. Like a sinister saboteur, the microbe immediately goes to work, replicating itself and taking control of the workings of the normal cell. With some microbes, the target is indiscriminate and every organ is affected. In others, only selective organs are attacked. The end result is the same. Damage to the organ or organs leads to loss of function, even death.

In the meantime, when an innumerable multitude of people had gathered together, so that they trampled one another, He began to say to His disciples first of all, “ Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known.
Luke 12:1-2

Like any infection, we need to be ever vigilant to sin’s entry in our lives. In this passage, Jesus warns his disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees. In the Bible, leaven always represents evil. In this case, the leaven represents the false teachings of the Pharisees. The Pharisees evoked the appearance of godliness but their motives were ultimately self-centered and self-promoting. They were very religious but were more concerned about the ritual of performing the sacrifice rather than examining their attitude before God and why they were offering the sacrifice.

Some sins may begin with seemingly good intentions and actions. On the surface, the action may not seem serious. In fact, we may even justify it by saying that it is for a good or noble cause. But like any infection, the entry of sin into our lives can begin to overwhelm our senses and our spiritual defenses. Before we know it, the sin may completely control our lives, ruining ourselves and other relationships.

God reminds us of the insidious nature of sin through the microbial world of infections. But unlike these microbes, God has provided the correct and always lethal antibiotic. If you have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, He will send His Holy Spirit to indwell within you. He will allow you to resist this sin, strengthening and protecting you and helping you to be ever more vigilant to sin’s entry into your life.

Love and respect the Lord; seek His will in your life.