Are You Keeping Your Spiritual Eyes Open?

PRAY OVER THIS

“Another parable He spoke to them: ‘The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.’”

Matthew 13:33

 

PONDER THIS

Before “eating a meal” at a church, it’s good to check out the kitchen, to see who’s in there. Don’t go by the taste test alone, judging only by how you feel. Read the ingredients, get to know the teaching and heart of the staff and members, and see what is there because the devil wants to infiltrate, and he does so in many ways.

The devil doesn’t have just one way to work. Remember the parable of the Sower? How does the devil work there? He catches away the seed. Remember the parable of the tares? How does he work there? He imitates the seed. What about in the parable of the mustard seed? How does he work there? He corrupts the seed. In this parable of the leaven, he infiltrates the Church.

How do we defend against this? We need to come before the Lord and ask Him to take out these areas of leaven in our lives. We need to know if our sin is affecting the body we are a part of. This needs to be our focus so that the Lord would cleanse us as the body of believers. We need to desire that He purge any leaven, that we will be one body. Our faith is not about being filled with knowledge. Good wheat has died to itself: it has been crushed and broken, baked in the fire, and fused with every other grain of wheat. We need to keep our eyes open to how the bread is being made, keep our eyes open to the devil’s schemes, and be people who surrender to God so that we may reflect what gives Him pleasure.

What are some ingredients that make up a good church?

What are some areas of “leaven” in your life? What needs to change?

PRACTICE THIS

Talk with fellow church members and encourage one another about the good ingredients you see in your church.

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers