Beware

Scripture: Mat 16:11-12 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake [it] not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Then understood they how that he bade [them] not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Observation: Yeast is everywhere, it is in every breath of air, it only needs a warm moist place to grow. Bad doctrine has a way of sneaking into our belief system. It doesn't come knocking on our door, it slips through the cracks in our walls and windows. But once it begins to grow from the inside, it seems as if it belonged there all along.

Application: The Apostle Paul told his church plants to believe nothing other than what he taught them. That seems pretty narrow minded, but he understood that the truth of who Jesus Christ is, is all sufficient. Every supposed truth we hear needs to be put to the test of scripture, and it it is not what the scripture teaches it should be discarded.

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to remain true to you until the very end. We know that there are wolfs and snakes seeking to trick and devour us, but we put our trust solely in you and the work Christ did on the cross for us. Thank you Lord.

God's Word is True

Scripture: Mat 15:7 - 9 [Ye] hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with [their] lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching [for] doctrines the commandments of men.

Observation: Jesus is quoting from Isaiah 29:14 which is a prophesy for Jerusalem, which is where Jesus is speaking. We have to ask our selves, if we are not doing the same thing that the religious leaders of Jerusalem did?

Application: Teachers of the word of God, need to make sure we don't teach our Government's laws, and our social norms as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This is a very difficult thing, because we are so heavily influenced by our culture and the people in our lives. We need to have relationship with them, but we must also keep our minds clear that the Word of God is true.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your Word. Let us stand firm on your word and be grounded in it. Let us live our lives in such a way as to glorify you our King.