The Leaven Of The Pharisees – Part Two
“For seven days, no leaven
is to be found in your houses…”
Exodus 12:19
(continued from part one)
The Leaven of Finances
Paul made the Gospel free of charge so that he could be free from the control of others and that his intentions in preaching the Gospel of God would be pure and void of seeking a reward other than God’s.
“What then is the [actual] reward that I get? Just this: that in my preaching the good news (the Gospel), I may offer it [absolutely] free of expense [to anybody], not taking advantage of my rights and privileges [as a preacher] of the Gospel. For although I am free in every way from anyone’s control…”
1 Corinthians 9:18-19 (AMP)
When an individual is paid to preach, there can be an inherent and latent tendency to the leaven, which hinders the sharing of the pure word of God. Many in our day preach the word of God, but to keep their “job,” they must adhere to the party line according to the “truths” the denomination or sect believes. On the day of Judgment, they will be held accountable to Him.
Watchman Nee, in his interaction with the people of God in China, taught that when people gave of their finances, they were to give them unto the Lord with no desire to influence the minister. The minister was to receive the funds from God, keeping them free to preach the Word of God in purity and the fear of the Lord.
The Leaven of Authority
Another terrifying aspect of the leaven of the Pharisees and the Sadducees was the desire to hold the people’s admiration and exert power over them. This dark desire of individuals to hold a place of preeminence over the people of God touches the spirit of the anti-Christ. They become the source and authority over what people do, believe, and adhere to. The word “anti” in the Greek means to take the place of. For example:
“You have heard that it was said,
‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.”
Matthew 5:38 (ESV)
The Greek word translated as “for” in the above scripture is the Greek word “anti.” According to Greek scholars, it means literally:
ἀντί – anti A primary particle; opposite, that is, instead or because of (rarely in addition to): – for, in the room of. Often used in composition to denote contrast, requital, substitution, correspondence, etc.
– Strong’s Concordance
The purpose of pure ministry is to “make disciples” unto Christ, whereas the leaven of which Jesus spoke came from a desire to have disciples. The difference between these two is heaven and hell for both the leader and the misguided adherent.
The prophecies that clearly express God’s heart for the New Covenant that He was preparing to bring to His people describe His purposes:
“And no longer shall each one teach his neighbor and each his brother, saying, ‘Know the LORD,’ for they shall all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest, declares the LORD.”
Jeremiah 31:34
The true ministry of the Lord seeks to communicate the Lordship of Jesus Christ that every member of His Body is led, taught, and obedient to Christ themselves. They do not seek preeminence but humble themselves to present the truth that “the Lord is my (their) Shepherd.”
The Leaven of Religion
“An appalling and horrible thing [bringing desolation and destruction] has come to pass in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests exercise rule at their own hands and by means of the prophets. And My people love to have it so! But what will you do when the end comes?”
Jeremiah 5:30-31 (AMP)
May we be instructed, hear, and turn from the leaven of such things! Let us hear the emphatic voice of His Spirit in this DAY!
“But what will you do
when the end comes?”
In other words, God is declaring that the spiritual atmosphere of this “appalling and horrible thing” will not prepare His people for the coming storm. The lethargy of those who forsake their need to know God for themselves and cast their responsibility upon someone else will culminate in failure.
The history of God’s people repeats itself. The nature of man is to inject leaven into the simplicity of God’s ways: a thirst for power, control, and preeminence.
“so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.”
Ephesians 4:14
May His Spirit search out this leaven within each of us. In growing in our relationship with Him, we are freed from this malaise within ourselves. We are schooled in discernment so that we are not entangled in the web of religion and influenced by men’s ways.
“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”
Psalm 139:23-24
This post is best read by reading The Leaven Of The Pharisees – Part One first.
“For I determined not to know any thing among you,
save Jesus Christ, and Him crucified”
1 Corinthians 2:2
True ministry seeks His glory; the depth of our freedom from self is discovered in the power of His death working in us the Spirit and the Life of Him within. (Philippians 3:10)
“Have this mind among yourselves,
which is yours in Christ Jesus…
but emptied Himself,
by taking the form of a servant…”
Philippians 2:5,7
Brian Troxel
Brian, this is full of wisdom which provides discernment for us. Men ministering need to be free and at the same time accountable only to God. A word given by His Holy Spirit must be given out. You made this very clear.
“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding” Proverbs 9:10
The church in our land has lost the true understanding that comes from the” knowledge of The Holy”. Each of us must be conscious of our words and teaching as Paul admonished Timothy:
“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine…” 1 Timothy 4:16
The circumcised in heart may have their own thoughts concerning things and yet feel the constraint to speak and share as the “oracles of God”.
One of my favorite scriptures and one I pursue with as much diligence as I can…
“Where the word of a (the) King is, there is power…” the “the” is my own addition 🙂
The testimony of Jesus: “And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes” Mark 1:22
Hasten the day Lord in each of us.
Grace to you!
BT
You commented, ” One of my favorite scriptures and one I pursue with as much diligence as I can…”
“Where the word of a (the) King is, there is power…” the “the” is my own addition 🙂
Well, it is no question whatsoever or perplexity at all to me why the King’s power, the Spirit’s anointing, rests upon the words He is pleased from heaven to prolifically deliver and arrange through you in His timing and manner. Because of your diligence for His Word, you have vigilance with His Word, thus He trusts you with His authority, His anointing. Due to this, we are spirit and soul, refreshed, edified, and cheered to progressively know Him, grow in Him, and show Him to others.
Thank You, our Saviour King! Thank you, our beloved brother! Grace to you and peace be multiplied from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
“The lethargy of those who forsake their need to know God for themselves and cast their responsibility upon someone else will culminate in failure.”
This statement of yours, Brian, I see as sharply summarizing the subject of leaven, but also of hitting hard and holy of heaven.
The everlasting essence immutably of why we even exist or have our breath or being is to know and go with the Bridegroom King Christ Jesus in vital, conscious union and living, blazing flames of ever-increasing intimate love communion.
Reminded I am of the parable of the ten virgins. To the five foolish, Jesus said that He never knew them. Wow! Such unwelcome words coming from the dearest and best of persons ever born in space and time! They may have had religiosity or churchianity or a little leaven, maybe even all three; it is that certain that right royal relationship they did not have. Jesus was not welcome in their hearts as their First Love. Such eternal loss! They got no know, so they could not go, into the ineffably glorious and ecstatically joyous, most momentous, perfectly enjoyable marriage supper of the Lamb of Love. Oh, I so want to be present and celebrating our Bridegroom and we His bride.
Rev. 22:17
And the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
Thanks be to the One Beautiful God that in heaven is no leaven. Alleluia!
Yes amen and so well said. May we ever heed the calling of His gracious Spirit.
Blessings my dear friend.
BT
You commented, ” One of my favorite scriptures and one I pursue with as much diligence as I can…”
“Where the word of a (the) King is, there is power…” the “the” is my own addition 🙂
Well, it is no question whatsoever or perplexity at all to me why the King’s power, the Spirit’s anointing, rests upon the words He is pleased from heaven to prolifically deliver and arrange through you in His timing and manner. Because of your humble and submissive diligence for His Word, you have vigilance with His Word, therefore, He trusts you with His authority, His anointing. Due to this, we are spirit and soul, refreshed, edified, and cheered to progressively know Him, grow in Him, and show Him to others.
Thank You, our King of Kings! Thank you, our beloved brother! Grace to you and peace be multiplied from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sorry I was away with things. I appreciate the encouragement and kind words. I am grateful for the bond of His Spirit as we press in our journey to know Him fully with the hope we may express Him clearly.
Blessings to you!
BT
Hey Brian, again, the words of Christ being misrepresented by man and his own theology, ideology, or impressology (my word) carries that sense of the leaven of the Pharisees, as they seek to either have a continuous doctrine or to solidify their stance.
They will divide and separate from those who don’t hold to their perspective, I don’t mind, there has to be that truth and confirmation in my spirit of the truth.
“…Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual…”
1 Corinthians 2:12-13
Bless you brother.
“Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. For it hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?”
1 Corinthians 1:10-13
The tendency for people to gravitate to specific men, ministries and denominations are the carnal tendencies of men who need an identity apart from their relationship with Him.
The party-spirit for the most part excludes those who remain free from these things; the sojourners, the pilgrims of faith who out of conscience cannot join themselves to these things. The joinings of the Spirit are superseded by the ties of the earthly. The Body of Christ suffers greatly at the hands of those who walk in these things. May His Spirit burn in us to do nothing out of or because of this “party-spirit”.
There is an accountability coming upon these things.
“Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.”
Luke 12:42-43
The hope of His Body is in all of us becoming free from earthly associations…
Always appreciate your comments!
BT
Your apology was not required nor expected, Brian;; thanks any way. I didn’t see that my first post had actually posted when reloading the page or even when returning hours later. Initially it looked as though it posted. Instances In a few instances, including this moment, I’ve noticed that after logging into WordPress, seconds later I’m logged out. This I surmise is because of the slow speed internet connection for this part of the island on which I reside. I’m promised that this shall change for the better soon. I’m sorry for the duplicate post. Burning blessings of Jesus’ beauty in your being and intimate blessings of affection from His holy heart as King of heaven.
All good, I am grateful for any brother or sister I meet on line knowing that the relationships born of His Spirit are eternal and are founded upon His Life!
Love and blessings to you!
BT