Love God Greatly - Galatiansনমুনা

Paul is concerned about how the Galatians were led astray. He states that those false teachers who have corrupted the gospel of grace are not of God, and they will be harshly judged by Him. He compares their false doctrine to leaven.

Leaven, or yeast, in the bible typically represents sin in the Old Testament and false teaching in the New Testament. Leaven spreads through the fermentation or rotting process, therefore a small amount of yeast placed in dough penetrates and affects the whole lump. A small thread of false teaching has a corrupting influence that infiltrates all parts of the Church body. The cure against false doctrine is submersion in God’s truth written in His Word. Believers must remain vigilant to test the Spirit and search the Scriptures when confronted with teaching that doesn’t line up with the Word of God.

In what ways may you have become lazy or lackadaisical in studying and meditating on the Word of God? How will you guard against leaven corrupting your walk with God?

Father God, I thank You for Your warnings and all of Your teaching in Your Word. Open my ears and eyes, Lord, to discern what is true. Cleanse my heart, Lord, of any hidden sin. Make me acutely aware of any of my actions or behaviors that misrepresent You. Remove any laziness or apathy that prevents me from studying Your Word. When it appears that my relationship with You has been infiltrated, cut off the offender and the offense from me immediately. In Jesus’ name. Amen.