Beware the leaven of man...

I say this little phrase often, so I wanted to look it up again and make sure I am still on track. Sometimes I am comparing my enormous physical size to that of leavened bread. Other times I am slicing the bread and saying this body of Christ is many different portions, and the best part is unleavened.

It means sacrifice to stay trim in the Word of God requires being satisfied with unleavened bread. ..Preferably with a little garlic sprinkled on melted butter and dipped in pizza sauce.

Please be smiling when I say things like that!!

Behold what paragons of religion were the Pharisees!

They were noted for their steadfastness. The name Pharisee in its Semitic form means "separated one, separatist." Pharisees were known also as the Hasidim, meaning "loved of God" or "loyal to God." Of all the Jewish sects (including also Sadducees, Herodians, Zealots, Essenes, et.al.), this was acknowledged as the most separated and steadfast to God, the "strictest sect" of the Jewish religion (Acts 26:5).

They were noted for their knowledge. The Jewish historian Josephus acknowledged them as "the most accurate exegetes of the law." They were associated with the scribes, "teachers of the law" (e.g. Luke 5:17). Christ said, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. Therefore whatever they tell you to observe, that observe and do" (Matthew 23:2f).

They were noted for their exactness. They would even "pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin" (Matthew 23:23), stringently ascertaining that their tithing extended even to the leaves grown in their herb gardens.

They were noted for their soul-winning. Christ acknowledged that "you travel land and sea to win one proselyte" (Matthew 23:15).

They were noted for their works. Their charitable deeds, prayers, fastings, and all other religious duties were highly lauded by their countrymen (Matthew 6:1ff).

They were noted for their righteousness. When Saul of Tarsus exemplified them, he was "concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless" (Philippians 3:5f). They had well earned the honor of being distinguished as the most righteous people in their religion.

"BEWARE OF THE LEAVEN OF THE PHARISEES"
Matthew 16:6 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ GOOD NEWS FROM THE REDEEMER August 11, 2001Jesus Christ nevertheless warns us to "Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees" (Matthew 16:6). The "leaven" of the Pharisees was their "doctrine" (v.12). Jesus Christ here used "leaven" as an emblem of an impurity which permeates and makes unacceptable all with which it comes in contact (as in Exodus 12:15, 19). (Retrieved here today for critical review: http://www.grace-for-today.com/1959.htm )