Choose Carefully.

In the meantime, when so many thousands of the people had gathered together that they were trampling one another, he began to say to his disciples first, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. Nothing is covered up that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have said in the dark shall be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in private rooms shall be proclaimed on the housetops.”  Luke 12:1-3 (ESV)

We have no secrets. One day, all will be revealed. This is the great equalizer for mankind.

Jesus talks about the danger of leaven and small substance that has huge effects on the surrounding tissues. Leaven does not look like much, but in the right environment, it thrives and eventually controls.

There are many areas in our lives that act as leaven. Gossip, sloth, and greed are simple to see, yet other areas, that seem harmless, may be of equal or greater danger.

We all need to place a guard or filter on our hearts to isolate ourselves from leaven. Our life “dough” needs to stay completely unleavened if we are ever to reach the potential for which God created us.

Alcoholics start with one acceptable drink, porn addicts start with one viewing, greed usually starts with focusing on caring for self, and being entertained by sin is sin.

If we already have allowed leaven to infiltrate, we need to set up our environment to prohibit its growth, and eventually it will be impotent. We have choices. We need to choose carefully.