Year of Exposure Day l0: A little deception is like a little leaven.

“You were running the race so well. Who has held you back from following the truth? It certainly isn’t God, for he is the one who called you to freedom. This false teaching is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough! I am trusting the Lord to keep you from believing false teachings. God will judge that person, whoever he is, who has been confusing you.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭7‬-‭10‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We continue today with further consideration of the lesson on deception the Lord gave me in 2008 (“Deception is for the Brethren”). [Text in bold print is from that lesson.]

“The enemy of your soul knows your vulnerabilities.  He appeals to these and then provides you with a reasonable rational so that you may be led outside the realm of safety.  Flee these lusts and with them the deception.  Walking fully in the light will inoculate you against the disease of deception.”

The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus, demanding that He show them a sign, some miracle, to prove His authority. Jesus refused to do so, saying that although they could predict the weather by looking at the signs, they were clueless as to what was going on right in front of them. After this encounter, Jesus and His disciples set out to cross over to the other side of the lake:

“Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves, and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Or the 4,000 I fed with seven loaves, and the large baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’” Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭16‬:‭5‬-‭12‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Even though they had just been with Jesus in this encounter with the Pharisees and Sadducees, the disciples misunderstood His warning to them. They assumed Jesus was referencing the fact that they had brought no bread.

As we see, they finally realize that He was warning them about the deceptive teaching of the religious leaders. You see, a little error leads to more and more error. Like in the making of bread, it may look like a very small amount of yeast compared to the flour and other ingredients being used, but the yeast will make its way all through the dough.

Now, we appreciate the ability yeast has to give us big beautiful loaves of bread, but the “leaven” of deceptive teaching, produces change that can lead to destruction.

A person may be drawn to false teachers for a number of reasons. But as we have discussed, the main attraction of deceptive teachers is their appeal to their followers’ own desires. Indeed, Paul warned Timothy about this dynamic.

“For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.”

‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭NLT‬‬

In our opening scripture we find Paul again warning about the insidious nature of false teaching, this time to the church in Galatia.

Friend, we must strive to allow the light of the Lord, His word and the leading of the Holy Spirit, to shine on the right path and not be tempted to follow voices directing us onto the path that leads to destruction.

Lord willing, we will finish “Deception is for the Brethren” next time.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!