Leaven
Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” ~ Mark 8:15
What if the smallest influence in your life is shaping you more than you realize?
You may remember hearing as a child that who you spend time with is who you begin to imitate. Another saying that was once commonly used was, one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch. It might take time, but it’s true. When you stay connected to unhealthy influences, they can slowly seep into your heart. Even when your intention is to help someone, it can backfire if you’re not guarding your own heart and paying attention to what’s trying to take root in it.
In this passage, Jesus warned His disciples to be aware of the leaven of the Pharisees. This was the most religious group of their day, the very people you would expect to point others toward God. Yet something had taken these leaders off course. Over time, their teachings had become distorted. They were focused on rules and traditions, and they had lost sight of love, grace, and compassion.
Jesus wanted His disciples to understand that following Him wasn’t about becoming rigid or judgmental. It was about growing in mercy, love, and truth. He brought them with Him as He ministered to people, not only so they could learn, but also so they could walk in accountability and stay grounded. Even as the Son of God, He modeled the importance of staying connected and guarded in heart and mind.
Galatians 5:9 reminds us that a little leaven leavens the whole lump. In other words, small influences matter. What we allow into our thinking and our hearts will eventually shape our actions and our attitudes. Jesus was preparing His disciples for the time when they would need to stand strong together, encouraging one another and staying rooted in truth.
That same encouragement is for us today. We’re not called to live with a mindset that measures ourselves against others or tries to earn righteousness through works. We’re called to love people, extend grace, and walk in humility. At the same time, we’re called to be wise about what we allow to influence us.
Here are some practical ways to apply this truth in your life:
- Take an honest look at your closest influences, consider the conversations, attitudes, and environments you’re regularly part of
- Spend time in God’s Word daily, even if it’s just a few minutes, let His truth shape your thinking
- Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognize anything that’s pulling your heart away from love, grace, and truth
- Choose one relationship that encourages your faith and invest more time there this week
- If there is a relationship that consistently drains you or pulls you down, begin to create healthy boundaries
- Find a small group, Bible study, or community where you can grow, be encouraged, and stay accountable
- Speak life and encouragement over others, this shifts your heart toward compassion instead of criticism
If you’re not sure where to begin, start simple. Open your Bible, invite God into your day, and ask Him to guard your heart. Then take one step to connect with someone who will encourage your walk with Him.
Today I want to encourage you to guard your heart with intention, to choose influences that strengthen your faith, and to allow God’s truth and love to grow in you so deeply that it overflows into every relationship and every place you go.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 8:11-21
11 Then the Pharisees came out and began to dispute with Him, seeking from Him a sign from heaven, testing Him.
12 But He sighed deeply in His spirit, and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Assuredly, I say to you, no sign shall be given to this generation.”
13 And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side.
14 Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat.
15 Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”
16 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”
17 But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened?
18 Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember?
19 When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”
They said to Him, “Twelve.”
20“Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”
And they said, “Seven.”
21So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”
Journal:
- What influences in your life are shaping your thoughts and attitudes the most right now
- Is there any area where you’ve noticed negative patterns slowly taking root
- Who can you invite into your life for encouragement and accountability
- What is one step you can take today to fill your heart more with God’s truth and love
The Daily Dose 