The Lord said to me…”I will test my people with a Plumbline,
Amos 7:8 (TLB)
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| Source of ALL TRUTH |
# 3 More Oppooosition to the Kingdom
The leaven—false doctrine (v. 33). The mustard seed illustrates the false outward expansion of the kingdom, while the leaven illustrates the inward development of false doctrine and
false living. Throughout the Bible, leaven is a symbol of evil. It had to be
removed from the Jewish homes during Passover (Ex. 12:15–19; 13:7). It was
excluded from the sacrifices (Ex. 34:35), with the exception of the loaves used
at the Feast of Pentecost (Lev. 23:15–21). But there the loaves symbolized Jews
and Gentiles in the church, and there is sin in the church.
Jesus used leaven to picture
hypocrisy (Luke 12:1), false teaching (Matt. 16:6–12), and worldly compromise
(Matt. 22:16–21). Paul used leaven to picture carnality in the church (1 Cor.
5:6–8) as well as false doctrine (Gal. 5:9). Sin is like leaven (yeast): It
quietly grows, it corrupts, and it “puffs up” (1 Cor. 4:18–19; 5:2; 8:1). It
would seem that making the growth of the leaven a picture of the spread of the
Gospel throughout the world would violate the meaning of this important symbol.
It would also contradict the other parables.
Satan has worked hard to introduce
false doctrine and false living into the ministry of the Word of God. From the
very early days of the church, true believers have battled false doctrine and
hypocrisy. How sad it is that some churches and schools that were once true to
the Word have turned from the truth to fables. “Prove all things; hold fast
that which is good” is sound counsel (1 Thes. 5:21).
The kingdom of heaven began with
the sowing of the Word of God in the hearts of men. Much of the seed did not
bear fruit; but some was fruitful. Satan opposed the work of God by sowing
counterfeit Christians, by encouraging a false growth, and by introducing false
doctrine. It would seem that Satan is winning! But the test is at the end of the age, not during the age.[1]
1 Timothy 4:1 (TLB) But
the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some in the church will
turn away from Christ and become eager followers of teachers with
devil-inspired ideas.
The Holy Spirit the
spirit of truth has been designated as our “teacher”. John 16:13 (NIV) But when
he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not
speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what
is yet to come.
[1]
Wiersbe, Warren W. (1996). The Bible
exposition commentary (Mt 13:24). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
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