A Look At Leaven
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
In the Bible leaven can have a negative connotation. For example, in the New Testament, leaven is often referred to as a corrupting influence. This is why Jesus said: “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy” (Luke 12:1).
Hypocrites put on a show of righteousness while hiding sinful thoughts and behavior. Christ warned His disciples that secret sins will someday be exposed to full disclosure (Luke 12:2; cf. Psalm 90:8; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Hebrews 4:13).
Because of this, we are to reverentially fear God (Ecclesiastes 12:13), confessing and forsaking any sin (1 John 1:9; Proverbs 28:13; cf. Isaiah 55:7), and growing spiritually as His children (1 Peter 2:1-2; 2 Peter 3:18).
Leaven has a positive connotation as well. It reminds us to guard against the permeating influence of sin in our hearts (1 Corinthians 5:6-8).