Exposing the Leaven of Herod & the Pharisees ..... TODAY!

What do you see rising in these days?

For those who have prayed for the for the exposing of corruption I dare say our prayers are being answered. What many don't realize is this is just not political. Everyone is being tested. How do you respond or what will you do when truth and lies are exposed?  How do you respond when your power or position is threatened?  Will you resort to lies and compromise or will you respond with truth and humility?  

Jesus gave us warning? He recognized the real threat of the collusion between the religious and political spirit. He said in Mark 18:15 to "take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the leaven of Herod."  Remember that the Pharisees in collusion with Pilate and Herod crucified Jesus. The political spirit and the religious spirit have this in common. They fear losing power and influence as wealth and privilege come with power and influence. 

Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life was seen as a threat to both and that lead to an unholy alliance between two factions that were normally at odds with one another yet they colluded for a season when it suited their personal agendas.  After Rome crucified Jesus it was only a few decades later when Rome destroyed Jerusalem and the temple worship (which at that time was held in "Herod's temple." Have you ever thought of this? Herod bought influence by helping the religious community who did not confront his sinful behavior so the Lord raised up John the Baptist. Sounds like the politically correct religious crowd today  don't you think? Kind of reminds me of the whole 501c3 today).  

In Luke 12:1-3 Jesus goes on to clearly define what He means when He speaks of the leaven of the Pharisees.  He clearly calls it....

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HYPOCRISY! 

​I'm curious, is any of this sounding familiar in this current presidential election? Right now it looks like some hypocrites are trying to crucify someone else's character.

You do realize that the political spirit and the religious spirits colluded together to crucify our Lord and Savior.  At the same time God used that as part of the plan. It was the wisdom of God.  Consider 1 Corinthians 2:6-8;

"However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory."

The rulers of this world did not recognize that our God was the God of the resurrection. Their collusion backfired and Truth reigned. Jesus rose from the dead and got the victory. Know that God can work through circumstances to bring forth humility and God can work with humility.

What's my point? I'd never count out anyone who serves the God who raises people from the dead. Even is they are imperfect (ie. King David, Samson, Abraham, Paul, Peter..).

You are Being Exposed! 
God is using this presidential election. Corruption in the highest levels of government has been exposed. Personal failures in both parties are being exposed. But here is what most people don't realize. 

As tempers rise so does the heat. Heat causes leaven to rise. This heat is affecting the leaven in every single person.  The real question is, what is rising in you? What is being exposed?

• Hypocrisy or truth? Do you condemn others for what you yourself have done. Are your moral's situational or consistent. Do you only apply it to one person and not another or to one party while ignoring the other.
• Conviction or compromise. Do you resort to lies or any moral comprise to maintain power or to keep your party in control or do you walk with integrity and conviction that is consistently applied to everyone.
• Proper judgments or improper? Are you a fool who says "I don't judge anyone?" That statement my friends in and of itself is a judgment.  A judgment is merely a decision and 1 Corinthians 2:15 teaches that a spiritual man judges all things (words & actions). Jesus taught us in Matthew 7:1-3 not to judge as the hypocrites (translation - Pharisees) and in verse 15 through 20 He teaches us how to judge by fruit (character and compare to God's word). 
• Democrat or Republican? Do you support a party who promotes an agenda which directly violates God's word (think marriage, family and abortion) and in fact calls those acts abominations and warns that a people who practice that will lose their land (ie. Lev 18 & 20, Rom. 1)
• Evil verses Good? Have you resorted to calling the things the Bible calls evil as good? 
• Do you flip flop? Do you flip flop constantly on issues depending upon which crowd you are around because you are afraid of how you might appear?
• Are you confused? James 3 reveals why and attributes it to earthly sensual demonic wisdom. If you are confused it reveals the lack of the foundation of God's word.  In fact the Apostle Paul warned in 1 Timothy 4:1-2 "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron..."  Now does any of this sound familiar yet? 

Lawlessness
What is the leaven rising out of you? What does the heat of this election cause to rise? 

This whole situation actually reveals the really poor job we ministers have done in making disciples. A disciple is one who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ. Today, most have no knowledge of God's word. That's what we cannot discern between good and evil.  Hebrews 5:12-6:2 says;

For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Chapter 6
Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment..

Hey, let's be clear! I am not your judge. God is.  But I am one who judges words and actions like the Bible teaches me to do. If you understood the teaching (doctrine) about repentance from dead works you would be able to discern who is attempting to allow God to work in their life.  One is being humbled while another only covers up and blame-shifts.  

If you understood the teaching about the eternal judgment you'd understand that one day you will stand before the Creator of the Universe and give an account as to how you stewarded your life.  You will give an account of the decisions (judgments) you made. 

Personally, I am not perfect. No man is but I do seek to allow God's word to work in my life so that I "re-present" Him for it is Christ in me that is the hope of glory. How are you doing in representing truth of His Word?

My friends, those who call themselves Christians but then choose a platform which is in direct violation of God's word reveals the leaven of the Pharisees; hypocrisy. That hypocrisy blinds them. 

Jesus reveals one more thing about the leaven of the Pharisees. The hypocrisy is accompanied by LAWLESSNESS. I'm curious, can you tell which administration and candidate has been exercising lawlessness?  In other words, they act like laws don't apply to them but they apply them to others?

Matthew 23:25-28
" Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you cleanse the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of extortion and self- indulgence. Blind Pharisee, first cleanse the inside of the cup and dish, that the outside of them may be clean also.   " Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which indeed appear beautiful outwardly, but inside are full of dead men's bones and all uncleanness. Even so you also outwardly appear righteous to men, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness

The Leaven of Heaven
My friends, it is time for the real Church to arise in the power of Jesus Christ. It's time for the leaven of heaven to arise. Jesus taught us to pray, kingdom come and will be done on earth.... as it is in.... heaven.

We must pray, but also act and put our faith into action with wisdom so as to re-present Christ in the spirit of truth, with His wisdom under-girded by His love. 

Don't be found a coward nor a hypocrite in these days but I encourage you to pray and let the real Church rise with the leaven of heaven.