Articles
Spiritual Leaven - Part 2
A little leaven leavens the whole lump. This is a proverb and warning which is repeated twice in the Bible (I Cor. 5:6; Gal. 5:9). In a previous article, we observed that this is a reference to the dangerous nature of sin, which spreads and defiles those around it. Galatians 5:9, however, is not talking about sin. It is talking about false teaching.
Someone in the Galatian churches was teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation. Paul responded by saying that “if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you.” Demanding circumcision was the same as demanding that people follow the Law of Moses. Paul identifies the danger of this teaching stating “you have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace” (Gal. 5:4). This false teaching was a serious threat. But it was also leaven. Paul stated, “This persuasion did not come from Him who calls you. A little leaven leavens the whole lump of dough” (Gal. 5:8-9).
We can quickly see the danger of this false teaching. It was separating people from Christ (Gal. 5:4). It was hindering people from following the truth (Gal. 5:7). It was not from God (Gal. 5:8). And finally, it would act like leaven. A little false teaching is a dangerous thing. The false teaching itself wasn’t little (or insignificant), but it only took a few people teaching it for it to spread and become a massive problem.
Jesus also taught that false teaching was like leaven. He warned His apostles to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees (Mt. 16:6). The apostles misunderstood and thought Jesus was talking about bread (Mt. 16:7). Jesus corrected them. Then they understood that “He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Mt. 16:12).
The famous saying from Paul—“Do not be deceived, evil companions corrupt good morals” (I Cor. 15:33—does not come in a chapter about young people being rebellious and wicked but in a chapter where some people were teaching that there was no such thing as resurrection. Don’t be deceived about such a teaching. Not only was it false, but it had the dangerous ability to spread and corrupt the morality of many Christians.
There were others who were teaching that the resurrection had already taken place. Regarding them, Paul warned us that their defiling influence would also spread. It would lead to further ungodliness (II Tim. 2:16), “spread like gangrene” (II Tim. 2:17), and had already “upset the faith of some” (II Tim. 2:18).
Clearly God wants us to understand the danger of false teaching. This presents a great challenge for all of us. First, we must be able to identify what constitutes a false teaching. If a person teaches anything that we disagree with will that qualify? It does not seem to be that simple, as there are areas where we can have differing opinions and still all be right with God (Rom. 14:1-4). But we must conclude that not all differences in doctrine are harmless opinions. Some, cross the line into false teaching. Fortunately, Paul gave us the best solution to this problem. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth” (II Tim. 2:15). Diligence and using the Bible correctly will be the key to our success.
Second, we must put a stop to the false teaching. If we are being warned that false teaching is like leaven, then we must find some way of keeping it from influencing us and the ones we love. It matters who we allow to teach and what we allow to be taught. It matters who and what we listen to. A preacher friend of mine recently warned that most of the youths today are getting their doctrine from memes and video clips on social media. That is terrifying! It probably isn’t limited to the young people either. Be warned, not everything is worth listening to. Not every discussion is harmless.
Be careful what you take in and be careful what you share because false teaching is like a little leaven that leavens the whole lump of dough.
